"LIBRAFIY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

Of    ILLINOIS 

834B32I 

Oe.e 


'■III     I  I "    fc  iiJMaiiiiti'i  II  'I  I  >. 


,..i-. 


/ 

/ 


J 


^^^mf^W'^':r~~~<:.^yv''^~-  "*7».'^:  ssf^gppF^t 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


/, 


A  NOVEL  OF  GERMAN  ARMY  LIFE 


r 


BY 


FREIHERR  YON  SCHLICHT 

(wolf  GfiAF  VON  BAUDISSIN)  '• 


CONFISCATED  IN  GERMANY 


UNABRIDGED    AMERICAN  EDITION 


NEW   YORK: 

M.  SCHNITZER  PUBLISHING   CO. 

1904 


htn  'iltU&r,f\i'',m  fiiiilUiiiK!ai«f»-t 


idto^si^iiiitmmMitUuilt^^ 


► 


.  fr^   .V  •"'■'■    ■       ' >'*?'[TT- ™f^ -.  -' '™- - -^'i TT ^^  ■  """5:% 


■T 


Copyright,  1904,  by 
M.  SCHNITZER  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 


Press  of  J.  J.  Little  &  Co. 
Astor  Place,  New  York 


..jtiiiiiiiiiMiiJiiBwtti^^ 


rimr-iriiirrir  -^'^■■"'^'■^'■■fc'MiMaiitiiAtjM,., ..-:■,..  :..-xv-jft.^i,,.,Tj^  ■,  Ji'm«tt 


PEEFAOE 

Count  Baudissin's  book,  now  placed  before  the 
English-speaking  public,  is  the  sensation  of  Germany. 
It  has  created  heated  debates  in  the  Reichstag.  It 
has  been  suppressed  by  the  police,  and  its  author  is 
being  criminally  prosecuted — for  what?  For  teUing 
the  plain  truth  about  the  German  army,  its  officers, 
the  medieval  and  feudal  ideas  still  prevailing  among 
them,  the  remarkable  code  of  honor  and  morals  which 
goverairthese  "First-Class  Men." 

Startling  as  Count  Baudisi^n's  revelations  are, 
they  appear  to  be  based  on  facts,  and  supported  by 
impartial  witnesses.  The  New  York  Evening  Post, 
certainly  not  a  paper  seeking  cheap  sensations,  in  an 
article  on  this  subject,  says,  in  part : 

"  Something  new  in  the  way  of  literature  is  now 
on  the  top  wave  of  popularity  in  Europe  and  has  be- 
gun an  invasion  of  the  United  States — the  German 
military  romance.  Writers  of  great  renown — Count 
de  Baudissin,  for  instance — ^tell  of  the  proudest  army 
of  Europe  stories  that  read  like  a  new  chapter  of  the 
history  of  Emperor  Nero.  Are  these  stories  really 
true? 

"Militarism  develops  and  fosters  the  instinct  of 
brutality,  and  in  the  lands  where  it  thrives  we  find 
it  insolent,  haughty,  and  contemptuous  of  the  rights 

701499 


^,1     ,     •■'  .^^ 


^v^..J4»!il^ 


4  PREFACE 

of  the  weak.  And  such  a  land  is  Germany.  Let  us 
look  at  the  effect  of  militarism,  dominant  and  ram- 
pant, upon  the  character  of  her  officers. 

"  First  of  all,  it  must  be  understood  that  there  are 
different  classes  of  Grerman  officers.  The  officers 
themselves  have  distinctive  characters;  not  in  their 
grades,  no !  but  in  their  noble  birth  and  the  classifica- 
tion of  their  regiments.  First  in  rank  is  the  nobility, 
then  the  wealthy  civilian,  then  the  poor  civilian. 
After  this  classification  comes  the  regulation  con- 
cerning the  rank  and  precedence  of  the  regiments — 
cavalry,  foot,  artillery,  train.  As  though  this  were 
not  enough,  the  highest  class  of  all  these  regiments 
is  the  Imperial  Guard.  All  this  is  hard  to  under- 
stand in  a  republican  government.  <■• 

"  Such  is  the  foolish  worship  of  caste  in  Germany 
that  when  a  family  of  what  may  be  called  the  citizen 
class  becomes  able  to  boast  that  one  of  its  members 
is  lan  officer  in  the  army,  it  is  thereby  exalted  above 
all  others.  And  this  endeavor  after  distinction  is  the 
prolific  breeder  of  jealousies  and  heart  burnings, 
and  has  all  but  beggared  thousands  of  worthy  fami- 
lies which  might  otherwise  have  lived  in  peace  and 
contentment. 

"  A  young  man  of,  say,  eighteen  years,  becomes  a 
lieutenant.  From  this  time  on  he  is  an  officer  of  the 
army — a  commander  over  his  illiterate  brother.  Now 
he  possesses  might ;  now  he  has  a  great  responsibility. 
His  military  education  shows  him  the  world  in  two 
classes  only — one  that  commands  and  one  that  obeys. 
He  sees  that  thousands  of  people  look  upon  him  in 


..  J. 


•  •  -•^•^•^ 


'^^f'^S^^BIllffS'^w^^r^r^^'^W^yv^ 


PREFACE  5 

awe,  and  his  character  absorbs  the  influence  of  such 
adulation.  He  sees  that  his  rank  gives  him  the 
opportunity  to  do  a  great  deal  more  than  the  common 
people,  and  that  his  uniform  covers  him  with  a  halo. 
He  makes  his  own  laws ;  arid  where  a  citizen  would  be 
punished  by  imprisonment  for  certain  misdeeds  he 
might  commit,  the  honor  of  the  army  will  protect  the 
officer  from  such  a  fate  if  it  is  possible  to  do  so.  If 
impossible,  then  he  has  two  courses  open  to  him, 
either  blow  out  his  brains  or  cross  the  great  body  of 
water  separating  this  country  from  the  Fatherland. 

"  What  crimes  can  bring  an  officer  into  such  trou- 
ble? In  the  regiment  it  is  the  first  rule  for  every 
officer  to  be  as  lavish  and  ostentatious  in  his  expendi- 
ture of  money  as  possible,  even  if  at  home  the  mem- 
bers of  the  officer's  family  are  denying  themselves 
comforts  and  even  necessities  in  order  that  he  may 
maintain  his  position  in  the  atmosphere  of  luxury 
and  false  pride  made  necessary  when  he  donned  the 
uniform  of  his  Emperor.  True,  the  State  forbids  the 
officer  to  make  debts,  but  it  is  impossible  for  the 
State  to  enforce  this  rule. 

"  Life  in  the  German  army  to-day  is  one  of  luxury. 
The  simpleness  and  frugality  of  the  Prussian  officer 
of  the  time  of  Frederick  the  Great  is  a  thing  of  the 
past. 

"  I  am  certain  that  eighty  per  cent,  of  the  German 
officers  have  not  sufficient  money  to  live  in  the  way 
that  their  positions  demand.  The  Emperor  believes 
he  has  a  divine  right  to  rule ;  so  do  the  officers  in  the 
army.    The  Emperor  says  of  his  army,  *  It  is  first  in 


■t^^A-A.^,L~i.^j!.»j.^^^-V  V-.^-.'w'.i...     •.-,.,      :  .      -.■-,i-f.-fi."-4rfr.it-iiir'ir./rf''-'-*^'-^'^<i  r'l  -Jii'ii'"-'  '•"-''*''-^atidihi"iVa'^i        '''\t     -''i'"'i"'  ii'Wii^ 


■<f-ri':.'n"^-^fyjr.r-r'f?xr-,j'  •v.m  ■«'.iNF.w-|nR\qgiqni|*<lr 


6  PREFACE 

Germany ' ;  so  do  the  officers  in  the  army.  The 
Emperor  gives  honor  to  the  citizen;  ah,  but  that's 
where  the  officers  in  the  army  draw  the  line !  Honor 
the  citizen?  In  their  arrogant  self -consequence 
the  officers  in  the  army  have  framed  this  rule :  *  If  a 
citizen  offends  you,  take  your  sword  and  kill  him  on 
the  spot ! ' 

"  All  that  has  been  said  about  the  officers  in  general 
holds  good  to  a  greater  degree  with  the  officers  of  the 
Guard ;  for  the  arrogance  and  insolence  of  the  former 
class  is,  to  some  extent,  but  the  reflection  of  the  arro- 
gance and  insolence  in  the  latter.  It  is  the  ability 
to  write  the  little  word  'von'  before  his  name  that 
gives  the  possessor  the  right  to  become  an  officer 
of  the  Guard.  It  is  this  little  word  that  entitles 
him  to  be  considered  an  aristocrat  and  enables  him 
to  act  like  an  autocrat.  It  is  this  little  word  that 
acts  as  a  Chinese  wall  between  him  and  his  brother 
officer. 

"All  Guard  regiments  are  stationed  in  or  near 
Berlin.  The  Prussian  who  enters  a  Guard  regiment 
as  a  common  soldier  is  subject  to  influences  from 
capital  life  that  are  essentially  degrading.  His 
commanders  being  officers  with  the  little  word  '  von ' 
before  their  names,  regard  him  with  no  more  con- 
sideration than  if  he  were  a  beast.  In  one  hour  he 
will  hear  from  the  mouths  of  his  superiors  more 
curses  than  he  would  hear  in  a  lifetime  in  his  own 
country.  Far  away  from  his  friends  and  relatives, 
and  forced  daily  to  submit  to  treatment  such  as  no 
self-respecting  man  would  stand  for  one  moment. 


r'y''?;gr**'^ff"-fT??J^j?jTfr^t^^''*^^'-?^/Tr^^^  7^_- 


7  _  WP^^»^  -v"l!^ 


PREFACE  7 

his  character  steadily  deteriorates,  and  from  long 
being  regarded  as  a  beast  he  at  last  conies  to  act  like 
a  beast. 

"The  chasm  that  separates  the  common  soldier 
from  the  officer  is  so  great  that  it  could  not  possibly 
be  greater  between  human  beings.  It  is  these  officers 
who  are  to-day  the  heroes  of  the  military  romances 
that  have  created  such  a  sensation  in  Europe.  Their 
rule  is  that  of  the  feudal  sword-law  aristocracy  of 
the  Middle  Ages,  with  all  its  shocking  brutality. 

"  If  an  officer  of  the  Imperial  Guard  looks  with 
contempt  upon  a  brother  officer  of  the  line  because 
his  family  is  of  the  citizen  class,  what  sort  of  treat- 
ment from  such  hands  can  the  common  soldier  ex- 
pect ?  The  poor  fellow's  sole  duty  is :  *  Obey  like 
the  miserable  cur  that  you  are ! '  And  it  is  because 
of  this  treatment  that  German  authors  have  brought 
it  to  the  attention  of  the  world.  Are  they  true? 
Horribile  dictum!    They  are  true." — The  Publisher. 


liiiiaiiiAririii  I'lT    -  -'■:'-^^-^*^--^"-^^  ■•'^-- -■^--'-^-^"■■»^'  ■^J'-^^'Li-^i^  -  ■..%:.-....  ^.  .•  ^  ■-- 


'TfTT^^^v*  V  -    3r'TTr-  V 


»:;l     "TT'    70  -■-.  '.r- 


'-V^T^^ 


.,  -..,--.-.,.••. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEIsT 


I. 

The  "Yellow  Butterfliea*' — ^the  foot  regiment 
Franz  Ferdinand  Leopold  of  the  Guard  bears  that 
nickname  on  account  of  their  yellow  shoulder-straps 
— celebrated  the  anniversary  of  the  event  when  on 
this  day,  more  than  thirty  years  before,  they  lost  in 
the  battle  of  Gravelotte  one-third  of  their  men  and 
considerably  over  one-half  of  their  officers.  The 
memory  of  the  regiment's  heroic  deeds  must  never 
die ;  it  must  be  kept  alive  among  the  younger  genera- 
tion. Hence  the  celebration  of  the  battle's  anniver- 
sary under  the  motto :  "  In  memory  of  the  dead,  for 
the  emulation  of  the  living."  For  that  which  they 
had  done  the  dead  received  each  year  a  wonderful 
wreath  wfth  a  giant  bow  in  the  regimental  colors; 
the  living,  who  had  done  nothing,  received  a 
costly  dinner  with  plenty  of  champagne.  And  when 
enthusiasm  ran  high  under  the  combined  stimulant 
of  the  colonel's  official  speech  and  the  effect  of  the 
wine,  they  always  vowed  anew  that  they  would  know 
how  to  die  like  their  comrades  if  ever  they  should 
be  called  again  to  fierce  battles.  Those  vows  were  a 
very  serious  matter  with  them; 


ailiih'liiifcitiill>TiitnFiil«i'>'"^^  ■*-"-•      —  --^■'-    --  ■  ■    L-^   ■•.   -    ■l':^:^■.■^;^■■— a-;.j.^::---t.:-.--..e..  ^..^.-i  ,-■' '   ■'.!i-,^^.^)iM^^itaia 


.■^(  r^  ;r-^ir*:*^j73^ 


^^—   ^  "  P*- '",^ 


-I  i..iii«iiv..yi.p«i|i. 


10  FIRST-CLASS   MEN 

To-day  the  celebration  was  particularly  dignified 
and  brilliant  because  of  the  house-warming  of  the 
new  regimental  home  devoted  exclusively  to  the  offi- 
cers* casino.  Only  this  very  noon,  when  the  colonel 
was  preparing  his  speech,  it  had  occurred  to  him  that 
the  house-warming,  which  was  really  a  joyous  event, 
was  hardly  in  accord  with  the  anniversary  in  honor 
of  the  dead.  He  could  not  well  say:  "In  honor  of 
the  dead,  we  open  to-day  our  new  casino,  of  which  I 
hope  that  it  will  pay  well  financially."  That 
wouldn't  do.  Then  the  colonel  hit  upon  an  appro- 
priate connection.  He  would  simply  say :  "  We  prom- 
ise to  the  dead  to  foster  in  these  new  rooms  first  of 
all  that  spirit  of  comradeship  and  knightly  principles 
which  animated  them  and  spurred  them  on  to  heroic 
deeds."  That  would  make  the  proper  impression. 
So  prepared,  he  went  in  high  spirits  to  the  regimental 
home.  Life  and  bustle  filled  the  house  which  had 
been  formally  handed  over  in  the  morning.  Nearly 
all  the  former  comrades  of  the  regiment  had  put  in 
appearance,  delegations  from  other  military  bodies 
were  present,  and  nobody  came  empty-handed.  A 
veritable  rain  of  silver  articles  had  been  showered 
upon  the  Yellow  Butterflies.  In  the  reception  rooms 
a  large  crowd  surged  back  and  forth,  exchanging 
friendly  greetings  and  admiring  the  presents  while 
awaiting  the  appearance  of  the  high  dignitaries. 

They  were  to  sit  down  to  the  feast  at  seven  o'clock. 
Promptly  upon  the  stroke  of  the  hour  entered  the 
representative  of  His  Majesty.    Originally,  the  King 


. '.  '■-'.'-■    \  ...r'^-v-' ^^j^.^T.-^v'  •'^^--^-.---'''.y^  :.'w.'.  ■--.'  -■>   ■•  ,:^'}j^jf:tK 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  11 


had  promised  the  regiment  the  honor  of  a  personal 
visit,  but  was  prevented  at  the  last  moment  from 
coming. 

The  music  began  to  play,  and  the  long  procession 
moved  into  the  dining-room.  A  cry  of  surprise  rose 
to  every  lip  upon  entering  the  marvellous  room  as 
the  eyes  fell  upon  the  beautifully  adorned  table. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies,  each  with  a  guest,  seemed 
to  grow  and  expand,  as  if  to  say :  "  Oh,  yes ;  that's 
us,  that's  our  home.  Long  enough  did  we  endure  a 
place  not  at  all  suitable  to  our  station.  But  now? 
Where  is  the  regiment  that  can  boast  of  such  a 
home?'* 

They  knew  that  their  old  casino  had  been  a  good 
deal  of  a  social  drawback.  An  officer  of  the  Horse 
Guards  had  even  vouchsafed  the  opinion  that  no 
decent  man  could  feel  at  home  there.  They  had  long 
been  the  last,  now  they  were  the  first.  The  Yellow 
Butterflies  beamed,  and  every  word  of  recognition, 
admiration,  or  quiet  envy  uttered  by  any  of  the 
guests  sounded  in  their  ears  like  heavenly  music. 
Every  one  of  them  felt  as  if  through  him  the  regi- 
ment had  at  last  come  to  own  this  magnificent  home. 
Each  had  contributed  his  own  share,  in  a  way.  If 
every  one  had  not  cherished  and  maintained  the  tra- 
ditional spirit  and  reputation  of  the  corps  of  officers, 
as  of  old,  the  "Alten  Herren"  and  friends  of  the 
regiment  would  never  have  raised  the  large  sum  of 
money  expended  in  the  building  and  furnishing. 
Each  of  the  officers  had  always  been  conscious  of  his 
position  and  his  moral  obligations  as  bearer  of  an  old 


.^>.jh:a^#--.i>jfc^---l^_^^.^..w^.  ^'.  ■x--.:.j^\^  -^.^'-J.^l:^^■A.■^•J-.- :  ..^^  i---jr^  ^..- .-  .r.-.  :i^,^-^.*i^.^,: 


\  <.•    "  >-r- 


'v.y^    '..;"  --^  ■:-•  r  '--v->  -y---    r  ■  -^  ■■^'"-   'f'?^E5?*V'??^ 


12  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

and  noble  name.  They  gloried  in  being  one  of  the 
proudest  and  most  exclusive  regiments  in  the  whole 
army. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies  gazed  with  pride  upon  their 
guests— distinguished  names  all. 

A  lieutenant  of  the  Uhlans,  the  Baron  Gersbach, 
who  was  universally  known  as  a  great  gambler,  put 
his  monocle  in  position  and  scrutinized  the  assembly 
seated  around  the  table.  Then  he  turned  to  his 
neighbor :  "  Eeally  a  company  of  quality,  not  a  single 
'  Buergerlicher '  at  the  whole  table." 

"  Oh,  yes— one." 

The  Uhlan  pressed  the  monocle  deeper  into  his 
eye  to  find  the  man. 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  he  asked  at  last. 

"  The  architect  who  built  the  house  for  us." 

"Oh,  well,  he — anyway,  he  doesn't  count.  But 
how  did  you  come  to  invite  him  ?  " 

"We  considered  the  matter  long,  but  we  couldn't 
very  well  do  otherwise.  The  fellow  has  served  with 
us  formerly  as  a  one-year  volunteer,  and  out  of  at- 
tachment and  love  for  the  regiment  he  drew  the  plans 
for  us  free  of  charge  and  rendered  all  his  services 
without  pay.  We  had  to  give  him  some  kind  of  recog- 
nition." 

The  Uhlan  nodded  assent:  "I  understand.  Such 
an  invitation  is  not  only  the  simplest,  but  the  most 
brilliant  way  of  thanking  him.  Until  the  end  of 
his  days  the  man  will  cherish  the  memory  of  this 
evening.  Besides,  to  have  eaten  with  us  will  be  a 
brilliant  recommendation  for  him.    For  his  station 


WLi.^  ^.,:'i.^.  L^-^  ^-  .  -  -  .^    ■  ■■  -  .._,i-  .-•  -■,^_,.._  ^    ■-^,-..:..  .-.•-  J|L_„,^         ...^  •■■  ^  :       .L^,    ■  ■   •.  ^J*-^--...    ^..   -  ■  ,-i -"^.-.^    i;-^>V..^A-.»*fc^-a^lB. 


wipi^T^jr?F'iF--7^5=-7^5"iBvw?*v**'«^.^  j,''W-""AVIM||L'jWJJ*'.VJ!{l,V  ?'^JVJW/|P'lrJ?^T-T'|T^T''-'"    'X^-^-'^^'Vi'^l^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  13 

he  looks  remarkably  decent.     His  hands  are  even 
manicured.    What's  his  name  ?  " 

"J  believe  Wipper,  Lipper,  Ripper,  or  something 
like  that." 

"Oh,  well,  that's  all  the  same.  By  the  way,"  the 
Uhlan  inquired,  "  have  you  heard  of  the  funny  affair 
that  happened,  according  to  rumor,  at  Dingsda,  dur- 
ing the  love  feast  of  a  regiment  of  the  line?  One 
of  those  churls — pardon  me,  but  in  a  case  like  that  I 
don't  like  to  use  the  word  comrade— one  of  those 
churls  got  drunk,  and  in  his  beastly  condition — ^you 
can't  call  it  otherwise — he  boxed  an  ensign's  ear  in 
the  casino  because  the  young  man  didn't  jump  quick 
enough  when  the  besotted  beast  drank  to  him." 

"Incredible!" 

"And  yet  true." 

"  What  was  the  upshot  ?  " 

Baron  Gersbach  shrugged  his  shoulders:  "What 
can  there  be?  They  can't  shoot  each  other,  for  it 
will  never  do  for  an  ensign  to  challenge  his  superior 
to  fight  a  duel." 

"  No,  that'll  never  do,"  assented  the  other. 

"  There  remain  two  ways ;  either  the  lieutenant,  if 
he  ever  gets  sober  again,  apologizes  to  the  ensign  in 
the  presence  of  all  the  assembled  oflBcers  and  of  all 
those  who  witnessed  the  insult.  That  would  settle 
the  matter.  Or  else  the  lieutenant  is  kicked  out,  in 
which  case  the  ensign  must  decide  whether  he  can 
continue  to  live  with  the  blow  upon  his  cheek, 
would,  of  course,  be  all  over  with  his  career.    In  our 


14  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

regiment,  at  least,  no  ensign  who  had  to  pocket  a  box 
on  the  ear  could  ever  become  an  oflBcer/' 

They  were  silent  for  a  moment,  because  the  orderly 
was  just  passing,  refilling  the  glasses.  Both  men 
drank  to  each  other.  Then  the  Uhlan  continued: 
"  One  might  be  sorry  for  the  poor  ensign ;  he  is  said 
to  have  behaved  blamelessly  during  the  whole  affair. 
It  is  far  meaner  to  assault  an  ensign  than  a  comrade. 
Really,  the  worst  of  the  matter  lies  deeper.  Why 
are  people  not  more  cautious  in  the  admission  of 
young  aspirants  to  the  position  of  oflBcers?  To-day 
a  fellow  may  become  a  lieutenant  if  he  has  the 
necessary  allowance  and  belongs  to  a  family  whose 
members  have  not  been  in  dishonorable  conflict  with 
the  police." 

The  other  assented:  "Alas,  alas,  it's  bad  enough 
that  the  increase  of  the  army  makes  it  necessary  to 
admit  *  Buergerlicher '  to  officer's  rank."- 

The  Uhlan  emptied  his  glass,  and  said :  "  You  are 
right,  though  it  cannot  be  denied  that  there  are  some 
nice  'Buergerlicher.'  I  must  confess.  I  have  known  a 
few — in  our  own  regiment;  they  would  be  unthink- 
able, of  course — ^but  one  may  meet  them  accidentally 
on  the  train."     '' 

The  Yellow  Butterfly  looked  up  in  astonishment: 
"  Do  you  travel  in  a  second-class  carriage,  then  ?  " 

"Who,  I?  First  the  Uhlan  looked  astonished, 
then  he  laughed  aloud :  "  I  second-class  ?  A  real  fine 
joke!  Will  you  permit  to  repeat  it  elsewhere?  I, 
second-class!  If  I  write  that  to  papa  it  will  amuse 
him  royally." 


;.  ■^^■;„..  ..^>^^^,^-^r..3-.->..:-/l-:^<^t.-i...i^l.A.ki.- 


H^f^iq^igggii^^^^jrTll^n^^wiQ^^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  15 

It  took  the  Uhlan  a  long  time  to  compose  himself 
before  he  continued:  "If  I  mentioned  a  while  ago 
meeting  on  the  train,  I  meant  it,  of  course,  as  a  j&g- 
ure  of  speech.  I  thought  of  a  fleeting  passing  ac- 
quaintance. Then,  as  I  said,  such  people  are  some- 
times very  nice,  and  I  enjoy  genuine  pleasure  in 
conversation  with  a  provincial  comrade  coming  from 
altogether  different  surroundings.  I  am  highly 
amused  when  they  tell  me  how  they  get  along  with 
the  monthly  extra  allowance  of  fifty  or  sixty  marks. 
Fifty  or  sixty  marks !  I  pay  that  to  my  hair-dresser.'' 
And  quite  suddenly,  without  apparent  connection,  he 
asked :  "  Pray,  tell  me,  because  we  argued  the  point 
yesterday  at  the  casino,  how  long  ago  did  you  get  rid 
of  the  last  *  Buergerlicher '  from  this  regiment  ?  " 

"May  15th  it  will  be  four  years.''  The  Uhlan 
looked  up,  somewhat  astonished.  "You  know  even 
the  date?" 

"  Oh,  one  does  not  forget  such  a  joyful  day." 

"You  are  right  there.  And  among  your  ensigns 
you  have  no  *  Buergerlicher '  either?" 

"  Not  a  single  one.  The  colonel  has  declared  cate- 
gorically that  he  would  under  no  circumstances  ac- 
cept a  *  Buergerlicher.' 

"Very  sensible  of  the  man.  In  the  first  place, 
such  a  one  wouldn't  fit  in  here  at  all.  He  would 
embarrass  you  all  around  and  feel  very  uncomfort- 
'able  himself.  The  only  proper  thing  is  to  stay 
among  your  own  class.  Let  people  talk  of  caste, 
spirit  and  pride  of  nobility  who  know  absolutely 


16  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


nothing  about  it.  Let  them  talk  to  their  hearts' 
content,  what  do  you  care  ?  '^ 

"  What  do  we  care  ?  "  And  after  a  little  pause  the 
Yellow  Butterfly  continued :  "  You  know,  of  late  I 
have  been  thinking  about  caste  spirit  and  pride  of 
nobility.  If,  at  a  love  feast  in  the  Guard  regiments, 
we  empty  our  glasses  to  the  toast  that  the  spirit  of 
the  oflBcers'  corps  may  remain  unchanged,  I  think 
it  means  not  only  that  we  should  cherish  love  and 
fidelity  for  our  ruling  house,  but  also  that  we,  with 
our  views,  should  always  remain  the  first-class  men 
we  are.  We,  the  bearers  of  names  of  ancient  nobility, 
the  members  of  the  most  distinguished  regiments  of 
the  Guard,  should  always  be  conscious  of  our  ex- 
clusive station,  stand  together  shoulder  to  shoulder, 
and  stoutly  maintain  the  division  wall  separating  us 
from  the  '  Buergerlichen.'  Let  us  drink  to  the  senti- 
ment that  we,  the  Guard  regiments,  remain  what  we 
are,  the  bearers  of  the  most  distinguished  names, 
first-class  men ! " 

To  the  Uhlan  the  talk  of  his  table  companion 
seemed  much  too  tedious.  He  had  scarcely  listened  to 
what  the  other  said.  Yet  he  now  assented :  "  Let  us 
drink."  Just  as  he  was  about  to  raise  his  glass  a 
stir  swept  through  the  gathering.  The  colonel  had 
risen  to  call  for  the  first  "  Hoch  "  for  the  supreme 
war  lord.  This  first  address  was  followed  by  a  second 
one  from  the  attending  representative  of  His  Ma- 
jesty, the  King. 

The  latter  rose  after  a  brief  pause  to  give  thanks 
for  the  homage  just  rendered,  and  then  went  on: 


■u.....— .a^>      ..^.l.^---.^^  — 


^^^^i^immH 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  17 

"  His  Majesty  has  commissioned  me  to  express  to  you 
his  lively  regret  not  to  be  able  to  attend  personally 
on  this  the  regiment's  day  of  honor.  His  Majesty 
has  deigned  to  command  me  to  convey  his  royal 
greetings  to  the  regiment  which  has  ever  distin- 
guished itself  in  w&t  and  peace,  and  to  assure  the 
regiment  of  his  royal  grace  and  good-will.  His 
Majesty  feels  assured  of  being  able  to  count  upon  the 
regiment  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  and  knows 
every  one  of  you  will  be  ready  at  any  time  joyfully 
to  give  his  life  for  the  Fatherland  and  for  the  ruling 
house.  That  is  warranted  by  the  spirit  which  has 
ever  distinguished  the  regiment,  the  spirit  which  is 
to  be  particularly  fostered  in  these  rooms,  devoted 
first  of  all  to  regimental  comradeship." 

The  grand  gentleman  paused  for  an  instant.  An 
assenting  murmur  swept  through  the  ranks  of  the 
officers  and  guests  who  had  risen  to  listen  to  the 
address. 

"  Now  follows  the  '  Hoch '  to  the  regiment,"  they 
thought,  while  looking  whether  their  glasses  were 
filled.  For  to  your  own  regiment,  to  your  own  self, 
belongs  a  full  glass.  # 

But  the  expected  finish  of  the  address  did  not  fol- 
low immediately.  The  grand  gentleman  was  visibly 
embarrassed.  It  was  obvious  to  everybody  that  he 
wanted  to  say  something  more,  but  could  not  find  the 
right  form.  At  last  he  composed  himself  and  went 
on :  "  Gentlemen,  His  Majesty  has  deigned  to  com- 
mission me  to  inform  the  regiment  that  His  Majesty 
has  this  day  transferred  to  the  regiment  Lieutenant 


t-j^'fLL.^,  ■■.'•I:.  ..  4.  _''„..  ^V'ti^-V^i'-.u^.^bXi  i*.!.;...:^-- i-^'jgiL.^-  v^..^.^-.   ~,^^ 


"pt' 


18  FIB8T-CLA8S  MEN 

Winkjer,  son  of  the  privy  commercial  Councillor 
Winkler,  heretofore  serving  as  lieutenant  in  the  foot 
regiment  250.  And  now,  gentlemen,"  continued  the 
prince,  visibly  relieved,  and  raising  his  voice,  "  raise 
your  glasses  with  me  to  the  welfare  of  this  fine  regi- 
m^n%  whose  corps  otf  officers  comprises  the  best 
names  of  the  nation,  whose  non-commissioned  officers 
and  men  are  shining  models  of  faithful  performance 
of  duty — ^the  regiment.  Hurrah !  Hurrah !  Hurrah !  " 

They  felt  as  if  their  throats  were  suddenly  choked 
by  an  iron  grip.  Never  had  a  "  Hoch  "  to  the  regi- 
ment sounded  so  dismally,  and  it  was  fortunate  that 
the  flare  of  the  trumpets  filled  the  banquet  hall. 

The  "  Hoch  "  given.  His  Highness  sat  down.  But 
the  others  still  remained  standing.  They  stared  at 
each  other  as  if  they  had  not  heard  aright,  as  if  each 
tried  to  read  in  the  face  of  his  neighbor  whether 
that  which  they  had  just  heard  was  really  the  truth. 

"  We  have  become  '  buergerlich ' !  " 

Nobody  knew  who  spoke  the  word  .first,  but  all  at 
once  it  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth:  "We  have 
become  *  buergerlich '." 

They  felt  as  if  a  jet  of  ice-cold  water  had  struck 
their  faces.  When  at  last  they  again  seated  them- 
selves at  the  table  and  the  orchestra  struck  up  a 
merry  medley,  when  the  champagne  bubbled  in  the 
glasses  they  could  not  comprehend  the  incredible, 
could  not  conceive  it;  they  again  had  a  'Buerger- 
licher  "  in  the  regiment. 

The  high  spirits  of  the  diners  had  vanished,  and 
the  Yellow  Butterflies  felt  as  if  suddenly  a  different 


-•'  -"-'  -^  -  - 


f  1  tiiiiftiT    "■•      *'«-i---^-'- 


lUui^itiiiilili 


*»!>»'> */. jT '  •    "  '■  '      V'"."    •  -.-"'•'■  .v"~-%rT,'r.'Frr*7T^'^3P^P^  -.:.  ■;..•".    'r'  .'fiFS!-; 


FIRST-CLA8S  MEN  19 

sentimentpenetrated  their  rooms.  The  glamor  of  the 
festival  was  dulled.  It  seemed  to  all  of  them  as  if 
the  silver  shone  with  less  brightness,  as  if  the  crystal 
had  less  polish,  the  hall  less  refinement. 

There  was  a  painful  hush  around  the  table.  The 
Yellow  Butterflies  dared  not  turn  to  their  guests. 
They  knew  there  would  be  a  storm  of  questions  about 
this  Winkler,  who  and  what  he  was,  where  he  came 
from,  and  why  it  was  that  His  Majesty  took  him 
from  his  frontier  garrison  and  transferred  him  to 
this  proud  and  distinguished  regiment.  There  must 
be  something  back  of  it.  They  dared  not  look  up. 
They  knew  it  was  written  in  the  faces  of  their 
guests :  "  You  no  longer  are  what  you  were.  You 
can't  help  it,  of  course,  to  have  become  *buerger- 
lich',  but  there  is  the  bare  fact,  with  grave  conse- 
quences for  your  station  in  the  future  ?  " 

If  they  had  only  been  apprised  privately  that  they 
would  have  a  "  Buergerlicher  "  lieutenant — ^but,  no, 
publicly,  before  the  assembled  company,  they  were 
told  of  it.  There  was  no  denial  possible  and  no  ex- 
cuse. It  was  a  straight  blow  in  the  face,  for  the 
"  Alten  Herren,"  too,  who  had  partly  come  from  afar 
to  attend  the  house-warming,  and  a  new  element 
entered  the  house  with  them — a  "  Buergerlicher " ! 
What  has  the  regiment  done  to  deserve  the  extinction 
of  the  nimbus  which  had  always  distinguished  its 
body  of  oflBcers  ?  Formerly,  when  a  "  Buergerlicher  " 
lieutenant  had  been  among  them  for  a  time,  they 
suffered  and  chafed  under  it  and  considered  it  a 
special  royal  grace  that  the  King,  at  the  personal 


'.^-^•— ■■'-— •-''^'^"'---■"--''*' j'''^'^'-'--'  ■■^-^^•'■■'•'^   -'"■  -■'-•-  -— -^--   .■w-vj-.-_j...a;»tIai.,-  .^--- Jj;-^' 


80  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

request  of  the  body  of  officers,  retransferred  the  man 
to  the  line.  When  they  were  once  more  among  them- 
selves, each  swore  to  himself  to  live  only  for  the 
honor  of  the  regiment,  henceforward  more  than  ever, 
so  that  no  "  Buergerlicher  "  might  again  be  set  among 
them.    Now  it  had  been  done  just  the  same. 

The  Uhlan  had  long  been  looking  at  his  neighbor 
who  was  sitting  in  a  brown  study.  He  felt  like  say- 
ing a  sympathetic  word.  All  his  feelings  he  con- 
densed into  the  remark :  "  It's  too  bad,  it  was  so  nice 
among  you." 

The  Yellow  Butterfly  winced.  These  words  could 
have  only  one  meaning :  "  The  start  is  made.  The 
one  'Buergerlicher'  will  be  followed  by  others,  and 
even  if  he  should  remain  the  only  one,  it  is  no  longer 
with  you  as  it  was  before." 

The  Uhlans  were  considered  an  immensely  feudal 
regiment,  and  the  Yellow  Butterflies  had  made  the 
greatest  efforts  to  enter  into  a  friendly  and  comrade- 
like relation  with  them.  At  last  they  had  succeeded. 
The  Uhlans  attended  to-day  almost  to  a  man.  They 
had  presented  a  costly  silver  table  ornament  to  the 
"  Closely  allied  regiment."  Now  when  the  friend- 
ship had  barely  commenced,  it  threatened  to  go  to 
pieces  again. 

All  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief  when  at  last  the  com- 
pany rose  from  the  table.  The  Yellow  Butterflies 
felt  a  burning  desire  to  make  a  clean  breast  of  it 
among  themselves  and  to  learn  particulars  about  their 
new  comrade.  Surely,  somebody  must  know  some- 
thing about  him.    He  must  evidently  have  some  kind 


L^ . A*. w .^*tt^ .  -.  1^ s/^ ^'  —  ■  ■-'     - ^ I    I  II  I      T     iiiiiiliiiii^ifci 


FIR8T-CLA88  MEN  21 

of  a  name  as  far  as  such  a  thing  is  possible  for  a 
"  Buergerlicher/'  or  else  His  Majesty  would  not  have 
done  so  much  for  him. 

Distinct  and  separate  groups  formed — ^the  guests, 
the  "Alten  Herren"  and  the  regimental  officers — 
each  group  eagerly  discussing  the  portentous  event. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies  crowded  around  the  aide- 
de-camp.  Count  Wettborn ;  he  was  very  pale  and  was 
nervously  stepping  from  one  foot  to  the  other,  only 
the  tips  of  his  faultlessly  polished  shoes  tapping  the 
floor.  Next  to  the  commander  the  matter  touched 
him  nearest.  Was  he  not  on  many  occasions  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  regiment  and  of  its  body  of  officers  ? 
And  was  he  now  and  hereafter  to  represent  Winkler, 
too,  he,  a  count?  He  was  a  proud,  distinguished 
personality.  On  his  breast  shone  an  order  of  the 
fourth  class,  his  latest  acquisition,  earned  as  dance 
leader  at  court.  For  two  years  he  had  filled  that 
position.  It  had  been  a  distinction  not  only  for  him, 
but  for  the  regiment,  too.  When  he  returned  to 
active  service  he  was  made  aide-de-camp  and  every- 
body felt  that  he  deserved  the  position  as  the  worth- 
iest among  them. 

"  But,  Count,  speak  up,  you  must  know  something. 
Who  is  this  Winkler?" 

Every  eye  was  turned  upon  the  Count  in  suspense. 
Deathly  stillness  reigned,  one  hardly  dared  to  breath. 

"  Gentlemen,"  the  aide-de-camp  finally  said,  "  what 
the  colonel  and  I  know  we  have  just  learned  from 
His  Royal  Highness.  Winkler^s  father  is  a  factory 
owner." 


■     '•'^dKHWprBWSf^ 


82  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

They  felt  as  if  a  weight  had  dropped  ofE  their 
breasts.  A  factory  owner!  That  wasn't  so  much 
after  all,  and  not  to  be  compared  with  the  social  stand- 
ing of  the  owner  of  a  large  estate  or  a  court  chamber- 
lain. Still,  Krupp  was  originally  only  a  factory 
owner,  and  yet  the  German  Emperor  called  him  his 
friend  in  public,  before  all  the  world.  But  at  once 
they  noticed  that  some  thing  was  still  weighing 
heavily  upon  the  Count's  mind.  There  must  be  some- 
thing objectionable  about  the  factory  owner. 

"  What  does  the  man  manufacture  ?  Guns  or  ma- 
chines ?  " 

"  Neither — ^breeches  buttons." 

If  lightning  had  struck  among  the  Yellow  Butter- 
flies they  couldn't  have  started  back  more  aghast. 

"  For  the  Lord's  sake !  " 

Then  they  looked  around  whether  any  of  the  guests 
or  orderlies  happened  to  be  near.  And  again  they 
surrounded  the  aide-de-camp. 

The  long  Bebitz  composed  himself  first.  He  was 
on  very  good  terms  with  the  aide-de-camp,  almost  his 
friend,  and  he  could  afford  to  hazard  the  remark: 
"Don't  indulge  in  any  funny  business,  Count,  we 
none  of  us  feel  like  it  just  now.  One  doesn't  say  such 
things  for  a  joke.  So,  out  with  it,  what  does  the 
old  man  manufacture  ?  " 

The  Count  looked  calmly  upon  the  speaker :  "  My 
dear  friend,  I  don't  feel  the  least  like  joking.  It  is 
as  I  told  you,  the  man  actually  manufactures  buttons, 
in  large  quantities,  of  course.  He  owns  three  big 
factories,   and   employs  thousands   of   workers   for 


^  ^'^V.  -     -     -t-^— >a 


TIP5H|l||(p»f!fP??sy»™'5^T'5«ST^T^-T7"''»3P!f^^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  23 

whom,  it  is  alleged,  he  cares  in  a  really  splendid 
manner.  For  many  years  he  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  city  council,  and  for  three  years  he  has  been 
a  privy  commercial  councillor.  Eecently  he  donated 
to  a  charitable  institution  under  the  protectorate  of 
Her  Majesty  the  Queen  one  hundred  thousand  marks, 
and  promised  in  addition  an  annual  contribution  of 
twenty  thousand  marks  for  five  years.  He  was 
offered  a  high  order,  but  declined.  When  he  was 
asked  how  he  could  be  thanked  he  replied,  he  would 
be  glad  to  have  his  only  son  transferred  from  his 
frontier  garrison  to  the  capital,  so  that  he  could  see 
him  oftener.  It  wouldn't  do  to  deny  him  his  wish, 
and  so  the  son  has  come  to  us." 

After  a  little  pause  of  deep  silence,  the  aide-de- 
camp went  on :  "  Transfer  of  Lieutenant  Winkler  to 
our  regiment  has  been  made  on  the  personal  order  of 
His  Majesty  the  King.  It  is  not  for  us  to  criticize 
His  Majesty's  acts,  and  I  beg  of  you  to  remember  this 
and  to  abstain  from  giving  utterance  to  any  opinion." 

That  was  clear  and  distinct.  All  could  perceive 
that  the  aide-de-camp  spoke  in  the  name  and  by  the 
order  of  the  commander,  and  so  one  after  the  other 
withdrew  silently. 

But  that  silence  spoke  louder  than  words.  The 
Yellow  Butterflies  glided  about  in  depression.  They 
had  not  the  courage  to  ask  their  guests  to  stay,  though 
they  made  ready  to  leave  much  earlier  than  usual. 
Wasn't  it  all  the  same  whether  they  lingered  for 
another  hour  or  not?  The  good  feeling  was  gone, 
the  feast  spoiled  for  them.    The  rooms  became  more 


'- \'^  .;"  ^ 


24  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

and  more  deserted,  and  one  guest  after  another  de- 
parted, leaving  only  the  Yellow  Butterflies  behind. 
When  at  last  they  were  alone  they  asked  themselves 
again  and  again :  "  Whereby  have  we  deserved  this  ?  " 

In  a  corner  of  the  room  little  Willberg,  the  favorite 
and  spoiled  fellow  of  them  all,  sat  collapsed  in  a 
chair.  He  was  a  young  lieutenant,  twenty-six  years 
of  age,  whose  father  before  him  had  served  with  the 
YeUow  Butterflies  and  earned  the  Iron  Cross  of  the 
first  class  at  Gravelotte.  It  may  be  that  young  Will- 
berg had  indulged  rather  freely  in  the  champagne. 
He  had  the  howling  blues,  crying  and  sobbing  like  a 
child. 

"Willberg,  what's  the  matter  with  you?"  queried 
his  comrades,  as  they  stepped  up  to  him. 

He  raised  his  youthful  face,  now  bathed  in  tears, 
and  sobbed,  with  heartrending  voice :  "  Oh,  my  regi- 
ment, my  beautiful  regiment." 

They  stood  around  him  in  silence.  None  found  a 
single  word  of  consolation.  They  were  all  sorrow- 
ful unto  death. 


:...,.......     .^..■^...        ..s..-^^:.     -..■-..■■-»-»....■..:— m--J....;-^^x-'.^i..-^^j>..i^. 


±i^LttadmikUi^i,imi^ii^ 


i»"'.^?l?W»-"::i*-''V!'' 


11. 


"  At  twelve  o'clock  at  noon  I  desire  to  see  the  offi- 
cers in  the  court  of  the  barracks." 

This  order  of  the  colonel's  had  been  communicated 
to  all  in  the  regular  way.  Now  they  stood  expectant 
in  front  of  the  barracks.  To  the  question,  "What 
has  the  old  man  up  his  sleeve?  Has  somebody  mis- 
behaved ?  "  the  answer  was  given :  "  Winkler  arrived 
this  morning,  and  is  to  be  presented  to  us."  This 
answer  was  followed  by  an  "Ah!" — an  exclamation 
of  the  deepest  regret  and  the  greatest  disappointment. 
So  Winkler  was  come  after  all!  How  many  fervent 
prayers  had  been  addressed  to  heaven  that  he  might 
not  come.  In  their  heart  of  hearts  they  had  still 
nursed  the  hope  that  the  transfer  might  be  recon- 
sidered. His  Majesty,  through  an  aide-de-camp,  had 
made  inquiries  as  to  how  the  corps  of  officers  felt 
about  the  newcomer.  They  had  made  a  clean  breast 
of  it,  but  instead  of  reconsidering  the  transfer,  the 
aide-de-camp  showed  up  one  day  at  the  regimental 
home  and  stated  officially  in  a  casual  conversation 
that  His  Majesty  felt  very  ungracious  over  that  whiclf 
he  had  heard  regarding  the  position  taken  by  the 
officers  towards  Lieutenant  Winkler.  His  Majesty 
firmly  expressed  his  expectation  that  the  regiment 
would  receive  their  new  comrade  with  open  arms. 
These  words  of  the  aide-de-camp  did  not  fail  to  pro- 


."■":;•:-     w.J-.ijfji'iivppi 


26  FIRST'CLASS  MEN 

duce  their  effect.  Of  course  the  officers  didn't  sud- 
denly change  their  views,  but  they  took  good  care  not 
to  express  their  thoughts  further  in  his  presence. 

And  now  Winkler  had  arrived ! 

"How  does  he  look?  What  impression  does  he 
make?  Has  anybody  talked  with  him?"  Thus  the 
questions  followed  one  another — then  the  clock  struck 
twelve,  and  to  the  minute  appeared  the  commander 
with  his  aide-de-camp  and  with  Lieutenant  Winkler. 
The  lieutenant-colonel  reported  that  the  officers  were 
present,  and  the  colonel  at  once  began :  "  Gentlemen, 
I  have  asked  you  to  come  here  in  order  to  present  to 
you  your  new  comrade.  Lieutenant  Winkler." 

Lieutenant  Winkler  advanced  a  step,  raising  his 
hand  saluting  to  his  helmet.  There  he  stood  in 
strictly  official  position.  A  man  of  medium  size,  of 
supple  yet  vigorous  build,  he  was  of  fine  physique, 
and  the  handsome  uniform  of  the  Yellow  Butterflies 
with  its  rich  golden  embroidery  suited  him  admirably. 
His  face  fresh  and  youthful — ^he  was  only  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age — was  adorned  with  a  strong  blonde 
mustache,  and  his  bright  eyes  betokened  energy  and 
self-reliance.  Many  others  would  not  have  been  able 
to  conceal  a  sort  of  unrest  and  embarrassment  at  this 
.moment ;  but  Winkler's  face  remained  perfectly  calm 
land  composed.  The  Butterflies  scrutinized  their  new 
comrade  just  as  if  scrutinizing  a  horse  led  out  for 
sale.  They  looked  at  his  figure,  at  his  legs,  whether 
he  would  or  wouldn't  march  well  in  parade,  whether 
his  exterior  would  to  some  extent  answer  the  require- 
ments of  a  member  of  this  distinguished  regiment. 


JB'jft V  ""^  ■>';«3?7'^ '.-  .  T's  ■■■ , 


FIB8T'CLA88  MEN  27 

According  to  the  way  in  which,  they  were  more  or 
less  satisfied  with  the  result  of  their  physical  investi- 
gation, they  raised  their  hands  or  one  finger  only 
for  a  longer  or  shorter  moment  to  their  caps. 

"Lieutenant  Winkler,"  the  colonel  began,  "you 
enjoy  the  great  distinction  of  having  been  transferred 
by  direct  order  of  His  Majesty  the  King  to  a  regiment 
which  looks  back  upon  a  glorious  past  and  whose 
corps  of  officers  has  always  been  distinguished  by 
purity  of  character,  knightliness  of  sentiment,  and  a 
high  sense  of  honor  inside  as  well  as  outside  of  the 
service.  You  come  to  us  from  a  strange  garrison, 
from  strange  surroundings.  You  have  grown  up  in 
circles  whose  views  are  not  always  the  same  as  ours. 
It  will  be  your  first  task  to  become  one  of  us  in  the 
full  sense  of  the  word.  Not  the  uniform  alone  makes 
a  member  of  the  regiment,  but  the  spirit  which  ani- 
mates us.  The  way  in  which  a  corps  of  officers  live 
in  a  financial  and  material  respect  is  not  without 
influence  upon  its  spirit.  You,  Lieutenant,  have  an 
allowance  so  large  as  to  be  out  of  all  proportion  to 
the  small  sums  at  the  disposal  of  most  of  my  officers. 
You,  Lieutenant,  grew  up  in  circles  where  money 
plays  the  main  role ;  where,  as  it  were,  the  honor  of 
the  individual  is  measured  according  to  the  size  of 
his  bank  account.  But  we  find  our  pride  in  remain- 
ing what  we  are  with  or,  rather,  in  spite  of  our  lim- 
ited means.  In  the  course  of  time  you  will  learn 
how  many  of  our  comrades  have  to  economize  to  make 
both  ends  meet,  how  they  have  to  deny  themselves 
many  things  in  order  to  be  able  to  appear  worthily 


■^.*^i^^,^A 


■  •'*r7^;-TiT^>>  r*  -^ 


28  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

before  the  world.  I  have  heard  with  pleasure  that  in 
your  small  garrison  you  have  been  living  so  far  in  an 
economical  manner,  in  no  wise  making  a  show  of 
your  means.  Therefore,  now,  after  your  transfer  to 
the  capital,  let  me  ask  you,  in  all  seriousness,  yea,  let 
me  admonish  you,  to  resist  the  temptations  that  will 
cross  your  way  in  every  form  possible.  Kemain  mod- 
est in  your  mode  of  living,  and  don't  give  way  to  the 
error  so  easily  committed  by  youth,  of  making  a  show 
of  your  money  and  of  your  wealth,  and  of  posing 
before  your  comrades  with  your  means.  If  you  take 
heed  of  my  warning,  then  I  can  assure  you  a  relation 
of  comradeship  and  friendship  will  soon  develop  be- 
tween you  and  the  other  gentlemen,  to  whom  till 
now  you  are  but  a  stranger."  And,  turning  to 
the  aide-de-camp,  he  went  on :  "  Count,  I  ask  you 
to  present  Lieutenant  Winkler  to  the  individual 
gentlemen." 

It  was  done,  strictly  according  to  the  rank  in  the 
service,  commencing  with  the  lieutenant-colonel  and 
finishing  with  the  youngest  lieutenant.  Only  when 
the  names  of  the  lieutenants  were  reached  did  Wink- 
ler's body  show  some  signs  of  life.  During  the 
colonel's  long  address,  and  while  his  superiors  were 
named  to  him,  he  stood  immovable,  hand  on  helmet. 
They  all  had  to  admit  that  he  stood  well,  without  the 
least  motion;  that  he  had  complete  control  over  the 
expression  of  his  face.  Not  a  muscle  moved,  nothing 
betrayed  his  sentiments  during  the  colonel's  remarks. 
But  when  the  names  of  the  lieutenants  were  spoken — 
the  first  lieutenants  he  had  greeted  as  superiors — his 


!*A.-.  :  r---     •  -     ' «.fc      ,.    -^.:.._    .■.._«>■.:  _^jC_.W    -.:      -    — -i   ..  -  —  -     v  :  •' ■  ^-     ^-V.  ..._■-..  ^-,V  .■I  ..i^^^    i.'.^.^-.  .m^'J^mJ^Aii^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  29 

position  relaxed  somewhat  and  he  responded  to  the 
bows  of  his  comrades.  His  bow  was  good,  they  had 
to  admit  that.  At  last  he  could  drop  his  hand  and 
stand  at  ease.  His  arm  was  nearly  benumbed,  the 
muscles  of  his  legs  quivered  and  pained — but  no  out- 
ward sign  betrayed  it. 

"Lieutenant  Winkler  will  be  transferred  to  the 
second  battalion,  fifth  company." 

All  eyes  turned  to  the  captain  of  the  fifth,  Freiherr 
von  Warnow.  He  was  considered  as  the  most  distin- 
guished officer  in  the  regiment,  his  nobility  was  of 
the  oldest,  he  could  trace  it  back  to  Emperor  Bar- 
barossa.  Under  him  a  Warnow  had  distinguished 
himself  in  war.  He  was  married  to  a  Countess  Mar- 
burg, was  very  rich,  and  his  house  was  considered  as 
one  of  the  most  aristocratic  in  the  capital.  When- 
ever the  regiment  required  a  representative,  whenever 
a  delegation  was  sent  anywhere,  Freiherr  von  Warnow 
always  was  part  of  it.  By  birth  and  by  his  connec- 
tion with  the  most  distinguished  families,  he  was 
manifestly  predestined  to  such  a  position.  He  was  as 
distinguished  in  his  official  service  as  in  his  private 
life.  He  brooked  no  ill-treatment  or  abuse  of  his 
soldiers  by  his  officers.  The  comrades  would  jokingly 
say  he  tried  to  make  a  gentleman  out  of  every  muske- 
teer. His  first  lieutenant.  Baron  von  Felsen,  stood 
by  him  in  this  task  admirably.  For  two  weeks  past 
he  had  only  one  officer,  because  his  lieutenant  had  re- 
cently broken  his  arm.  Four  weeks  more  might 
elapse  before  he  could  return  to  active  service.  Yet 
it  had  not  occurred  to  the  captain  that  he  would  get 


^?J^uLj:'^'.t..^o.-...!!-y--jK^^.:-^  ■/--..:  ^^■:    ■^_.:.^      .,^;  ^..^-V:^.:- ^,:..^^>.-fc— i^t^  --^^^•^■■••■^'.-i-:^-^.  JL:-.  •     ..     ■--■ 


'•  •••^"TrT?? 


80  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

another  oflScer.  And  now  they  put  that  Winkler  into 
his  company,  his,  Freiherr  von  Warnow's ! 

He  couldn't  conceal  his  displeasure.  His  heavy 
eyebrows  contracted  angrily,  and  he  was  about  to 
murmur  something  in  rage  when  Winkler's  eyes  met 
his.  On  hearing  the  name  of  his  captain,  Winkler 
had  looked  around  inquiringly.  Who  of  the  many  to 
whom  he  had  been  presented  was  Freiherr  von  War- 
now  ?  When  he  saw  this  disappointed  and  indignant 
face  he  knew  at  once.  He  looked  at  him  firmly  and 
steadily,  as  if  to  ask :  "  What  have  I  done  to  you  ?  " 
Possibly  he  grew  a  little  paler,  but  his  voice  had  a 
steady  sound  as  he  approached  his  superior  and  re- 
ported to  him  for  service. 

Freiherr  von  Warnow,  thanking,  laid  a  finger  on 
his  cap,  and  said :  "  It  would  have  been  more  correct 
if  you  had  first  reported  to  your  major." 

Winkler's  face  flushed,  then  he  made  up  for  the 
omission.  Next  he  approached  Freiherr  von  Mase- 
mann,  his  first  lieutenant,  as  if  to  present  himself  to 
him  again  as  a  comrade  of  the  company.  The  Frei- 
herr took  this  amiability  as  something  quite  self- 
evident,  and  only  replied  by  a  curt  "  thank  you." 

The  colonel  conversed  with  the  officers  of  the  staff, 
the  other  officers  talked  in  groups  among  themselves. 
Winkler  stood  alone,  nobody  paid  any  attention  to 
him,  and  he  felt  relieved  when  the  colonel  finally  dis- 
missed them.  He  turned  to  go,  when  his  captain, 
engaged  in  conversation  with  his  first  lieutenant, 
called  to  him :  "  Pray  one  moment.  Lieutenant,"  then 
after  a  brief  pause  continued :  "  I  don't  know,  Lieu- 


— "• •'■■''      .  ^^jujg^itltiiuiiiojn^ 


P*'^--,'*'-^--    .' .     -■':  '^  -■:  ^i^-.^y'Zy-^T'^'f^'i'^'frrcif^j^fr^.'^'^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  81 

tenant,  whether  you  are  aware  of  the  fact,  and  I  want 
to  emphasize  it  right  now,  that  a  distinguished  and  de- 
cent tone  pervades  my  company.  I  must  ask  you  to 
omit  all  cursing  and  scolding ;  my  men  are  used  to  be 
treated  as  decent  people.  That  you  came  to  my  com- 
pany is  a  distinction  of  which  I  hope  you  will  prove 
yourself  worthy."  Turning  to  his  first  lieutenant,  he 
went  on :  "  And  you,  my  dear  baron,  in  case  lieutenant 
Winkler  should  not  find  it  easy  to  strike  the  right  tone 
at  the  beginning,  will  have  the  goodness  to  help  him." 
The  first  lieutenant  raised  his  hand  to  his  cap, 
and  the  captain  again  turned  to  Winkler:  "To- 
morrow morning  we  shall  meet  in  service.  Pray  give 
your  address  to  the  sergeant,  so  that  he  may  know 
where  orders  reach  you." 

"  Very  well.  Captain." 

"  For  the  present  I  have  nothing  more  for  you — 
thank  you,  gentlemen." 

The  two  lieutenants  turned  to  go  and  walked  in 
silence  together  across  the  great  barracks  court.  Only 
after  they  had  passed  the  gate  the  baron  said :  "  We 
have  dinner  at  six  o'clock,  won't  you  come  now  for 
breakfast  to  the  regimental  home  ?" 

But  Winkler  declined:  "I  have  to  report  yet  to 
my  higher  superiors  and  have  much  to  attend  to 
otherwise." 

The  other  did  not  insist  any  further,  and  so  they 
parted. 

Winkler  called  a  cab.  It  was  nearly  three  o'clock 
when  he  reached  the  hotel  where  he  had  put  up  for 
the  time. 


■a:aa«fc.>ia*:;..^^^.^J^A*..  .> _^  .^  ;^w.-'^,.-^a.  . ■■^...  ^.^.■^•:  '-..t::^ ^:'L^ .. -^.^ ;_ 


-    -        "  ■  ■  -     ,'     '  '    I  '■        ■       ''        -  ■     ■.  ' 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


It 


Is  there  any  mail  for  me?"  he  inquired.  For 
three  days  he  had  been  without  news  from  home. 
He  had  wired  to  his  parents  that  he  would  arrive 
at  the  capital  to-day,  and  he  hoped  now  to  find  word 
from  them. 

The  porter  had  looked  over  the  mail.  "  There  is 
nothing  for  you,  lieutenant.'* 

Winkler  could  hardly  conceal  his  disappointment. 
On  this  day,  when  he  felt  so  lonely  and  disappointed, 
a  greeting  from  his  parents  would  have  seemed  par- 
ticularly cheering.  He  was  prepared  for  a  reception 
not  altogether  cordial ;  but  that  he  would  be  received 
so  coldly  and  with  so  much  repugnance  was  a  dis- 
agreeable surprise  to  him.  It  was  more  than  he  had 
expected. 

He  mounted  the  stairs.  To  his  surprise  the  door 
to  his  room  was  not  locked.  As  he  opened  it  and  en- 
tered he  was  received  by  loud  and  cheerful  laughter: 
"  Ha,  ha,  George,  my  boy,  I  call  that  a  surprise,  eh ! 
I  told  the  porter  I'd  wring  his  neck  if  he  betrayed  my 
arrival  to  you.  For  two  hours  I  have  been  sitting 
here  waiting  for  you.  Well,  thank  the  Lord,  here 
you  are  at  last.  How  fine  you  look,  my  boy.  Mother 
would  be  beside  herself  with  pride  if  -she  could  see 
you.  Now  the  first  thing  you  must  get  yourself 
photographed."  The  commercial  councillor  embraced 
his  son  with  heartiness  and  fatherly  pride.  At  last 
George  extricated  himself.  "  Father,  this  is  truly  a 
surprise,  how  did  you  come  here?" 

The  old  gentleman,  a  man  of  about  sixty,  medium- 
sized,  vigorous  and  well-knit,  with  a  large  red  face. 


vi^i^ii-.ik 


> '" 


FIB8T-CLASS  MEN  38 

great  grey  eyes,  and  heavy  bushy  brows,  whose  whole 
aspect  betokened  iron  will  power,  energy  and  great 
teelf-relianoe,  lookied  at  his  son  with  a  contented 
smile.  "  Do  you  know  your  father  so  little  that  you 
think  I'd  leave  you  alone  here  to-day  ?  I  have  got  to 
assist  you  in  looking  up  rooms,  but,  first  of  all,  I  want 
to  know  how  you  get  along  and  to  hear  how  the  people 
received  you.    Now,  tell  me." 

George  had  discarded  helmet  and  sash  and  had 
changed  his  uniform  coat  for  a  comfortable  house 
jacket.  Then  he  took  one  of  the  cigars  offered  him 
by  his  father  and  seated  himself  in  a  chair. 

"  My  boy,  do  tell  me.  One  can  talk  while  one  is 
dressing.  I  know  you  say  one  thing  at  a  time,  but  I 
have  always  insisted  one  can  do  several  things  at  one 
and  the  same  time.  Do  you  believe  that  otherwise  I 
would  have  accomplished  what  I  have  ?  I  have  taken 
my  dinner  standing,  eating  with  the  left  hand,  while 
taking  notes  with  my  right,  and  between  whiles  giv- 
ing orders  and  directions  to  all  sorts  of  people.  Now, 
then  fire  away,  talk."  The  commercial  councillor 
looked  e:^pectantly  upon  his  son,  who  remained  silent. 
At  last  the  young  man  spoke : 

"Father,  it  turned  out  as  I  wrote  you  when  you 
notified  me  that  you  had  asked  for  my  transfer  to 
the  capital.  It  has  all  come  to  pass  as  I  told  you,  and 
even  a  great  deal  worse." 

The  old  man  straightened  himself  up  and  looked 
•with  astonished  eyes  at  his  son.  "That  means, 
then " 

"  That  means,"  the  son  continued,  "  they  have  re- 


:■;■-«;- -^  .4-    ;-.t^....^^..j-,^j.>- — ^^. ^,.1,^-i^^ J —  .w      .-.r.t^-j 


34  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

ceived  me  here  at  the  regiment  in  a  manner  that  not 
only  might  have  sent  the  blush  of  shame  to  my  face, 
but  might  have  aroused  me  to  anger  and  revolt.  I 
felt  all  that  within  me.  But  I  controlled  myself, 
showing  no  outward  sign,  as  I  always  do.  They  made 
long  speeches  to  me,  they  admonished  me  to  do  my 
duty,  and  they  rubbed  it  in  again  and  again  that  it 
was  a  great  distinction  to  belong  to  the  regiment." 

"  Yes,  that's  it,"  confirmed  the  father.  "  You 
ought  to  have  seen  the  eyes  when  I  told  my  friends 
and  acquaintances  I  had  brought  about  your  transfer 
to  the  Yellow  Butterflies.  People  wouldn't  believe  it 
until  I  showed  it  to  them  in  black  and  white.  Yes, 
yes,  my  boy,  it  was  by  no  means  easy  for  me,  and  the 
pleasure  isnt'  cheap,  either.  Two  hundred  thousand 
marks  are  no  trifle.    Well,  I  don^t  grudge  the  money." 

"But  I  do,  father,  for  I  not  only  believe,  but  I 
know,  that  it  is  a  poor  investment.  When  you  wrote 
to  me  at  the  time  that  you  had  applied  for  my  trans- 
fer I  begged  of  you  immediately  to  do  everything  in 
your  power  to  cancel  your  request.  You  only  laughed 
at  my  scruples,  and  you  wrote  to  me :  '  The  Yellow 
Butterflies  will  appreciate  what  they  have  got  in  the 
son  of  Privy  Commercial  Councillor  Winkler,  and  if 
they  don't  know  they'll  find  out  by  and  by.' " 

"And  they  will,  my  son,  they  will."  But  George 
shook  his  head :  "  They  will  not,  father ;  they  will 
not  even  take  the  trouble  to  know  more  about  me; 
they  look  upon  me  as  an  intruder,  a  stranger.  Al- 
ready I  know  they  wait  for  the  hour  when  they  can 
get  rid  of  me  with  decency.    They  will  watch  me,  and 


■L^L^l.*jMt.^.,fcj--.>.-^»-^.-  .^^.T ^— ••■.-^.  •  ^1-w  -■-......      .1.     ,,„^i     ,     '^i-   .„  I  -     '-  -  .:-        J  -I.  ■■  «-.■■■  -^  -  -  '   r-jj  ri.*'i  r     7i  fl  -. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  35 

everything  I  do,  they  will  weigh  every  word  I  say, 
until  at  last  they  find  some  reason  to  tell  me ;  '  Dear 
friend,  you  don't  fit  into  a  regiment  so  distinguished 
as  we  are/  And  one  fine  morning  I'll  find  myself 
again  in  a  little  garrison/' 

The  old  man  exploded.  "  Oh,  oh !  we  are  not  there 
yet.  Before  things  get  so  far  I  shall  have  something 
to  say  about  it.  I  am  in  great  favor  with  my  king, 
and  at  the  proper  hour  I  shall  know  how  to  open  my 
mouth  to  him  about  it." 

George  shrugged  his  shoulders :  "  Then  it  will  be 
too  late.  It  won't  do  any  good.  After  all,  you 
wouldn't  want  the  corps  of  officers  to  keep  me  against 
their  will.  I  am  suffering  enough  from  the  fact  that 
I  came  here  altogether  against  their  will.  Do  you 
think  I  didn't  feel  it  bitterly  when  not  one  of  them 
had  a  word  of  welcome  for  me,  not  one  of  them 
grasped  my  hand  in  friendly  greeting  ?  " 

The  veins  on  the  father's  forehead  showed  his 
anger.  "Those  stuck-up  fellows,  what  do  they 
think?  What  is  it  they  are  stuck  up  for?  Because 
of  the  fact  when  they  were  born  they  accidentally  got 
into  a  cradle  which  stood  in  a  nobleman's  house? 
Is  it  their  merit  that  they  have  got  a  count  or  a  baron 
for  a  father  ?  It  makes  me  laugh !  If  that's  all  they 
are  stuck  up  for,  then  I  am  sorry  for  that  crowd  of 
Junkers.  To  be  born  as  the  son  of  a  nobleman  is 
no  merit  at  all.  It's  a  different  thing  to  be  like  me, 
the  son  of  a  petty  official,  and  to  work  your  way  up 
by  your  own  industry  and  your  own  force,  and  to 
occupy  a  position  in  the  world  such  as  I  have  achieved. 


!  -^»"i-^V^  — «!»>-■; 


•]-: 


■^  BJW.'iiiyjjf 


36  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

If  anyone  can't  see  that,  then  he  simply  won't  see 
it,  or  is  unable  to  do  so  because  of  extraordinary  stu- 
pidity." 

The  commercial  councillor  had  risen  and  walked 
up  and  down  the  floor  in  excitement.  George  knew 
his  father.  When  he  was  in  a  mood  like  the  present 
one  he  had  to  work  it  out  and  cool  down  by  degrees 
before  he  was  accessible  to  any  outside  argument.  So 
he  let  the  old  gentleman  go  on  without  interfering 
until  Winkler  at  last,  with  a  vigorous  curse,  sat  down 
again  in  the  chair. 

"  Now,"  said  the  old  man,  "  I  feel  better.  After 
all,  my  boy,  I  believe  you  see  a  little  too  black.  That 
the  people  consider  you  an  interloper  one  may  under- 
stand, and  one  can  understand  likewise  why  they 
don't  want  to  come  to  you  right  off  with  hands  out- 
|Sffcretch€|d.  Those  people  don't  know  you.  They 
know  no  more  about  you  than  that  you  are  the  son 
of  your  father,  and  since  I  did  not  come  into*the 
world  with  a  crown  upon  my  head  they  are  not  satis- 
fied so  far,  but  want  to  know  you  first  and  to  size  you 
up.  When  I  think  the  matter  over  calmly,  and  I  am 
calm  now,  I  have  to  own  that  I  like  the  way  in 
which  you  were  received.  After  all,  lieutenants  are 
not  little  girls,  swearing  friendship  for  life  and  death 
after  an  acquaintnace  of  five  minutes.  Why  should 
the  Yellow  Butterflies  be  in  transports  of  delight 
when  they  see  you?  Because  you  are  a  very  fine- 
looking  fellow  ?  No,  my  son,  just  wait,  it  will  depend 
on  you  to  establish  your  position  in  the  regiment,  and 
I  am  thoroughly  satisfied  you  will  do  it." 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  87 

"At  least  I  will  try,  father;  it  shall  not  be  my 
fault  if  I  faa." 

"  Why  should  you  fail  ?  Don't  begin  all  over  again. 
Hold  your  head  high  and  look  with  courage  into  the 
future.  What  one  tries  to  accomplish  seriously  one 
achieves  in  the  end.    That's  all." 

George  assented.  "  Yes.  Let  us  leave  the  subject. 
Only  the  future  can  and  will  decide  which  of  us  two 
is  right.  One  thing  I  would  like  to  know,  because  I 
could  get  no  answer  to  it  in  my  letters.  Is  it  not 
true  that  the  idea  of  having  me  transferred  from  the 
line  to  the  guard  originated  with  mother  ?  " 

The  commercial  councillor  laughed  with  pleasure: 
"  Well,  since  you  must  know,  you  are  right,  my  son. 
You  know  your  mother,  she's  a  jewel,  but  she 
wouldn't  be  a  woman  if  the  money,  the  title  and  the 
position  now  at  my  command  had  not  gone  to  her 
head.  We  maintain  a  grand  establishment,  partly 
for  the  sake  of  your  sister  Elsa.  All  the  world 
frequents  our  house.  She  didn't  like  to  answer  again 
and  again  to  all  inquiries  that  you  were  in  that  mis- 
erable place  with  a  regiment  of  no  particular  conse- 
quence. Of  course,  nobody  said  anything,  but  your 
mother  read  in  the  faces  of  the  people :  *  That  shows 
there  are  still  some  doors  money  can't  open.'  Natu- 
rally she  was  aggravated  and  her  vanity  was  wounded. 
She  has  only  one  son,  and  for  him  the  best  is  just 
good  enough.  So  she  kept  on  teasing  me  and  teasing 
me,  until  at  last  I  did  what  she  wanted." 

"  That's  exactly  the  way  I  explained  the  thing  to 
myeelf,"  said  George.    "  I  see  mother  right  before  me. 


■iiMiiiHMiWIiiiiiiiiilililiiiii 


38  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

how  ahe  was  talking  to  you,  and  I  fancy  I  know  every 
word  she  was  speaking.  She  certainly  meant  well, 
and  she  must  feel  very  happy  now." 

The  commercial  councillor  laughed  aloud :  "Happy, 
my  boy,  I  tell  you  there  are  no  words  to  describe  her 
happy  condition." 

George  laughed,  and  they  spoke  of  mother  and 
of  his  sister  Elsa,  to  whom  he  was  attached  by  a 
boundless  love.  They  spoke  of  the  parental  home  and 
of  the  factory,  until  the  stroke  of  the  clock  reminded 
George  it  was  high  time  for  him  to  go  to  dinner. 

The  commercial  councillor  looked  vexed.  "  Don't 
we  dine  together?  I  had  thought  we  were  going  to 
have  a  dinner  in  some  fine  restaurant  to  celebrate  this 
day  in  a  way  that  might  provoke  the  envy  of  the 
immortal  gods." 

"To-day  it  is  impossible,  father;  to-day,  the  very 
first  day,  I  must  under  no  consideration  be  missed 
at  the  regimental  home.  Possibly  to-morrow  I  can 
disengage  myself."  The  old  man  murmured  in  vexa- 
tion : 

"  To-morrow  is  not  to-day.  Well,  perhaps  there  is 
no  other  way  out  of  it."  And  after  a  little  he  said : 
"  Can't  I  eat  with  you  in  the  regimental  home  ?  I 
would  like  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  your  com- 
rades in  the  regiment.  In  fact,  I  thought  of  paying 
my  visit  to  your  direct  superior,  or,  at  least,  to  your 
commander." 

George  was  embarrassed.  He  was  a  very  good  son, 
he  was  proud  of  his  father,  and  loved  him  above 
everything,  and  precisely  for  that  reason  he  wanted 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  39 

to  avoid  the  possibility  of  a  slight  to  him  at  table. 
Under  no  circumstances  did  he  wish  to  give  a  chance 
to  his  comrades  to  exchange  remarks  among  them- 
selves about  his  father  because  some  trifling  thing 
did  not  please  them.  He  was  also  afraid  of  his 
father's  passionate  explosive  temperament,  which 
he  knew  only  too  well.  He  was  afraid  the  old  man 
might  forget  himself  and  might  drop,  in  the  heat  of 
argument,  some  critical  remarks  which  in  the  end 
could  only  hurt  both  of  them.  So  he  said,  evasively : 
*  No,  that  won't  do  very  well  to-day,  father ;  it's  an 
old  custom  in  the  army  that  the  officer  who  eats  for 
the  first  time  with  his  new  comrades  is  invited  by 
them.  As  a  guest,  I  can't  well  bring  another  guest 
with  me." 

The  old  gentleman  saw  that  point  quicker  even 
than  George  expected :  "  Well,  then,  I'll  drink  a  good 
bottle  of  Ehine  wine  by  myself.  We'll  see  each  other 
again  before  going  to  bed,  and  you  can  tell  me  how  it 
came  off."  ' 

When  George  came  home  at  ten  o'clock  he  didn't 
have  much  to  tell,  at  least  not  much  that  was  pleas- 
ant. It  had  been  nice  in  a  way,  they  had  drunk  his 
health,  but  that  was  all.  The  rooms  at  the  casino 
were  gorgeous,  and  he  dwelt  on  the  description  of 
the  house  until  his  father  at  last  bade  him  good-nigHt. 

George  went  to  his  room,  but  he  lay  awake  long, 
thinking  of  the  things  he  had  not  told  his  father. 
The  senior  at  the  table  had  welcomed  him  with  a 
few  words,  but  they  sounded  so  cold  George  said  to 
himself,  "The  man  only  speaks  because  he  has  to. 


^''  *- '' '-  mtrlfllgili '  iiii  ihl  •ft-'*  -  -  —  -i^  -^  ^'  •-  •  ■■  -   - '  - '  -  ..  ^  - : .  *  ^ '-  -^-  -M^>.:- '  ..  -  ^-  ---»•'■>  ^■.'...-  Jt>  ■-.:.■  .^-«  ::^4.^.- 1.  ■^ .  -j.  :>;.  -v^-:.  .J--^ 


40  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

His  heart  knows  nothing  of  what  his  lips  utter. "  A 
"Hoeh''  followed  the  address,  they  had  touched 
glasses  with  him,  and  so  the  matter  was  considered 
disposed  of. 

"  Oh,  that  I  had  been  permitted  to  stay  where  I 
was.  How  will  it  come  out  in  the  end  ?  "  That  ques- 
tion kept  him  awake  for  a  long  time.  But  when  at 
last  he  fell  asleep  he  saw  in  his  dream  the  happy  eyes 
of  his  mother  beaming  in  exultation  over  the  distinc- 
tion achieved  by  her  son. 


.^■--A»^-,-   ^3^....-..'-^.-.^..-^    .-   j_^.,|v.^^       ,—   -■:  -c. 


W. ..v "^  ^  jwf * ^p"  * ■  .;^>^  ■ 


III. 


It  was  five  weeks  since  the  regiment  returned  from 
the  manoeuvres.  The  recruits  had  been  received,  and 
the  busy  winter  service  begun.  If  anybody  ever  longed 
impatiently  for  the  arrival  of  winter,  it  was  George. 
Although  he  had  now  belonged  for  half  a  year  to 
the  Yellow  Butterflies,  he  was  as  much  of  a  stranger 
to  his  comrades  as  on  the  first  day.  All  attempts  to 
gain  a  foothold  had  failed  through  the  passive  re- 
sistance of  the  others.  He  hoped  that  the  festivities 
of  the  winter  would  bring  him  in  closer  touch  and  re- 
lation with  his  regimental  comrades. 

To-day  there  was  a  dance  at  the  house  of  Captain 
von  Wamow,  who  owned  an  elegant  residence  with 
large  rooms.  The  whole  regiment  was  invited,  and 
people  looked  forward  to  the  affair  with  eagerness, 
because  entertainments  at  the  Warnows  were  alto- 
gether different  from  everyday  humdrum  affairs.  As 
in  former  winters,  the  Warnows  this  season  had  with 
them  as  visitor  their  niece,  Fraulein  von  Wiedemann, 
a  tall,  supple,  very  good-looking  brunette  of  twenty- 
three.  The  young  baroness  was  a  well-known  belle, 
and  if  in  the  course  of  years  she  had  lost  a  trifle  of 
her  early  charms,  she  was  still  rated  as  a  beauty. 
Her  manner  was  as  lovely  and  distinguished  as  her 
appearance;  she  was  a  thoroughbred  aristocrat.  The 
Wiedemanns  were  of  very  old  nobility,  and  she  was 


'"'•—'■*-     ■  --*'^-f'iSi»Mf<f  I'liT'll'i'il     Kf?     ' 


42  FIR8T-CLA8S  MEN 

brought  up  in  the  strictest  principles  of  her  caste 
Her  father  had  been  an  officer  in  a  regiment  of  the 
Guard,  for  whom  a  brilliant  military  future  was 
prophesied.  But  one  day  he  stumbled  during  an  in- 
spection of  the  battalion  and  he  retired  from  service. 
During  his  active  term  he  had  spent  his  private  for- 
tune, which  never  had  been  large;  now  he  was  re- 
duced to  his  pension  of  about  four  thousand  marks, 
on  which  he  lived  with  his  wife  and  daughter  in  a 
small  town.  His  son  served  as  officer  in  a  distin- 
guished artillery  regiment.  In  the  house  of  the  re- 
tired major  bitter  poverty  reigned.  His  son,  in  order 
to  live  according  to  his  station,  required  an  allowance 
which  took  nearly  half  the  pension,  and  the  other 
half,  in  spite  of  all  efforts,  would  not  suffice  to  meet 
the  necessajies  of  life  even  approximately.  The 
major  was  always  over  ears  in  debt.  At  first  he  did 
not  care  much;  Hildegarde,  his  beautiful  daughter, 
would  make  a  brilliant  match,  and  share  her  wealth 
with  him.  But  the  years  went  on,  and  the  brilliant 
match  did  not  materialize.  He  was  sure  Hildegarde 
would  never  get  a  proper  husband  in  the  miserable 
little  town  jehere  they  lived;  so  Frau  von  Warnow, 
related  to  the  Wiedemanns,  and  fond  of  Hildegarde, 
took  it  upon  herself  to  look  out  for  a  suitable  mar- 
riage. In  this  way  Hildegarde  had  come  to  the  capi- 
tal for  the  first  time  five  years  before  and  had  made 
a  genuine  sensation  everywhere.  At  the  court  festivi- 
ties their  Majesties  were  gracious  to  the  beautiful 
girl.    Still,  suitors  did  not  materialize. 

One  admirer  after  the  other  retired  when  he  be- 


^"■•'''--"-loVi  ■!  rria'ii  »mi\i 


.-^.^■i/.i;.L^.:-.^.-.^J-^^^'J^^.i^-^-^A:^.iii^ 


FIEST-CLASS  MEN  4$ 

came  aware  of  her  financial  condition.  None  of  the 
guard  officers — and  only  such  a  one  was  then  con- 
sidered eligible  by  Frau  von  Wamow  and  Hildegarde 
— ^was  rich  enough  to  marry  a  girl  whose  whole 
dower  was  her  beauty  and  a  family  deep  in  debt. 
For  it  was  not  only  the  father  who  contracted  obliga- 
tions on  account  of  his  future  son-in-law,  but  also 
the  brother,  who  was  known  as  a  gambler  and  spend- 
thrift. The  father  could  not  understand  how  his 
daughter  could  come  back  after  the  first  winter  un- 
engaged. He  had  counted  so  firmly  upon  a  brilliant 
match  for  her  that  he  felt  it  a  heavy  blow  of  Fate 
when  his  hope  did  not  find  fulfillment.  From  that 
blow  he  recuperated  only  slowly.  But  finally  hope 
woke  again  and  had  remained  living  up  to  the 
present,  though  the  prospects  for  him  and  for  Hilde- 
garde seemed  to  dwindle  more  and  more.  The 
brother,  too,  still  thought  to  be  saved  in  this  way. 
It  must  happen  some  day.  He  was  so  deep  in  debt 
that  he  had  come  to  depend  on  occasional  winnings 
at  the  card  table.  It  couldn't  go  on  this  way  forever. 
The  rich  relations  assisted  him  from  time  to  time 
with  a  thousand  mark  note,  but  that  did  not  begin 
to  suffice  to  pay  his  debts.  Usually  he  gambled  away 
the  money  the  very  first  evening.  Every  time  he 
found  himself  in  a  tight  place  he  would  write 
to  his  sister :  "  Fulfill  the  hope  we  all  repose  in  you; 
save  us,  even  if  you  have  to  lower  your  expectations 
to  some  extent.  It*s  something  terrible  to  think  that 
I  might  have  a  '  Buergerlicher '  brother-in-law,  a  fel- 
low who  belongs  to  another  society  and  doesn't  wear 


..■-.:■'*.. ^.  .r^^^fi,^^^.--'^,^^    ,-r-^A-..-.-A:^:.:j«:^a./ii-'  -  --  '--'tW-iiiii-iiiiaiirT-^  ■  '■:-^'r.,j:^,:.^ 


44  FIR8T'CLA88  MEN 

a  imiforin.  But  in  the  end  I  could  stomach  even 
that  if  he  only  had  plenty  of  money  and  was  ready 
to  help/' 

Hildegarde  scarcely  read  these  letters  any  more; 
she  knew  their  contents  in  advance.  And  what  the 
brother  wrote,  the  father  said  to  her  day  after  day, 
whenever  a  bill  came  to  the  house,  or  when  the 
mother  asked  for  money  for  current  expenses,  or 
when  the  servants  asked  for  their  wages.  Then  it 
was :  "  Cast  away  your  pride  of  nobility  until  you 
have  a  husband.  There  are  wealthy  *  Buergerlicher ' 
enough  who  would  be  glad  to  have  a  beautiful,  dis- 
tinguished wife  who  would  introduce  them  in  society 
and  maintain  a  fashionable  house.  Once  you  have 
a  husband,  you  can  show  the  aristocratic  side  to  im- 
press him.  The  more  you  show  the  sacrifice  you  made 
when  you  married  him,  the  more  he  will  love  and 
revere  you.'' 

Something  in  Hildegarde  often  cried  out :  "  What 
am  I  to  do  ?  I  can  do  no  more  for  your  sakes  than  to 
stand  up  and  be  admired.  I  can't  offer  myself  to 
the  men.  I  am  terribly  ashamed  of  myself  and 
hardly  know  how  I  can  bear  it.  All  that  you  tell 
me  appears  so  horrible  and  miserable.  I  don't  under- 
stand how  you  can  talk  to  me  like  that ;  you  ought  to 
respect  me,  your  own  child,  more  than  that.  Money, 
money,  and  always  money.  So  that  you  can  get  rid 
of  your  debts,  I  must  sell  myself  to  the  first  man 
who  offers  enough  for  my  body." 

Often  a  harsh  answer  roee  to  her  lips,  but  she  con- 
trolled herself  bravely,  and  did  not  utter  it.     She 


Hk^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  45 

knew  only  too  well  the  terrible  cares  her  father  had 
to  battle  with,  how  he  lay  awake  through  long  nights 
thinking  where  and  how  he  could  raise  money. 
When  he  took  his  leave  from  the  army  he  had  neg- 
lected to  look  around  for  some  ccupation,  some 
chance  of  earning.  At  that  time  he  considered  it  be- 
neath him  and  his  dignity  to  become  the  representa- 
tive of  a  life  insurance  company  or  something  similar. 
Now  it  was  too  late;  he  was  no  longer  young  enough 
to  espouse  any  calling.  To  the  end  of  his  life  he 
must  drag  out  the  dreary  existence  of  a  retired  officer 
without  occupation  and  without  means.  The  mother 
suffered  even  more  than  the  father.  She  was  still 
an  elegant  woman,  who  sighed  for  the  capital  and 
the  brilliant  entertainments  where  she  was  so  much 
admired.  There  was  a  bitter  struggle  between  her 
and  her  husband  when  he  moved  to  the  small  town. 
She  had  refused  to  go.  She  would  have  been  willing 
to  restrict  her  expenses  in  every  possible  way  if  she 
could  only  be  permitted  to  continue  breathing  the 
air  where  she  had  lived  for  years, 

"  Only  a  year  or  two,  until  Hildegarde  has  made 
a  rich  match.  Then  we  will  come  back  here,"  her 
husband  said  again  and  again.  So  she  gave  in  at  last. 
At  first  she  meant  to  be  very  economical  even  in  a 
small  town,  but  imperceptibly  she  became  again  the 
elegant  woman  who  knew  no  change  in  her  dress  or 
in  her  mode  of  living.  Between  her  and  her  daugh- 
ter there  was  scarcely  any  other  subject  for  conver- 
sation but  the  prospective  marriage.  There  were 
hours  when  she  overwhelmed  her  child  with  violent 


■fciia«tfiif>>irTtitfiririirh'^"n  i^kF'  ■-■■^*--^-"*-""--^*^*'-^i'Vhtiii[ft-ii>igiMtit«aMirrfaiiiliti-it  1 


46  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

reproaches :  "  Why  do  other  young  girls,  by  no  means 
as  pretty  and  stylish  as  you,  get  husbands  ?  Evidently 
you  are  either  too  reserved,  or  you  betray  too  plainly 
the  desire  to  get  married."  Hildegarde  suffered  from 
such  remarks,  and  from  the  whole  domestic  misery. 
Still  more  terrible  to  her  were  the  trips  to  her  re- 
lations. Certainly  it  was  a  kind  of  relief  to  be  in  a 
rich  house,  and  not  to  hear  of  eternal  financial  wor- 
ries. But  the  letters  of  her  parents  followed  her  to 
the  capital,  begging  her  to  get  money  for  them  from 
the  relatives.  And  the  entertainments  were  spoiled 
for  her,  because  every  evening  before  retiring  her  aunt 
would  ask  her  the  question :  "  To-day  again  nothing 
accomplished  ?" 

Although  her  aunt  did  not  say  it  outright,  and 
did  not  let  her  feel  it,  Hildegarde  could  perceive 
that  she  did  not  like  the  trouble  of  taking  the  young 
girl  out  year  after  year,  because  she  realized  the  use- 
lessness  of  her  efforts,  so  that  she  would  have  liked 
it  best  if  Hildegarde  had  not  come  back  at  all. 

This  year  Hildegarde  did  not  wish  to  go.  Her 
pride  and  her  vanity  revolted  against  the  Idea  of  be- 
coming a  burden  to  her  relatives,  and  of  playing  a 
role  both  ridiculous  and  pitiable.  Often  enough  she 
had  noticed  the  mocking  and  the  compassionate 
glances  of  people  who  greeted  her  upon  the  visits 
paid  after  her  arrival.  Some  amused  themselves  in 
the  quiet  at  the  idea  that  she  would  not  give  up  the 
task  of  catching  a  man,  others,  knowing  her  domestic 
affairs,  felt  pity  for  her. 

"I   won't  go.     I   won't  go   under  any  circum- 


.  j.t^.-, ...  ,  — ■■  ■.-■fa*. 


.^■^.  ...^-^.^.^■^,,.-;^._.».t^.-,.t«^£..-*.-.:w.:.  -.  t^ . ,-.. ^- A~ -w  "-jMiiiii.ifrrtik'ia 


li'  ■ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  47 

stances,"  she  declared  to  her  parents ;  "I  am  too 
proud  and  too  much  ashamed  to  be  on  exhibition 
again  this  year  at  all  the  entertainments,  and  at  the 
end  find  neither  lover  nor  buyer." 

Day  after  day  the  struggle  went  on.  One  day 
there  was  an  execution  in  the  house  for  five  hun- 
dred marks,  the  amount  of  a  wine  bill,  and  her 
father  went  down  on  his  knees  before  her,  imploring 
her  to  save  him.  At  last  she  gave  up  her  resistance. 
But  she  seemed  to  herself  so  wretched,  so  miserable, 
so  low — she  was  so  faint-hearted  and  desperate,  that 
she  cried  during  the  whole  long  trip  on  the  train. 

"  Child,  you  never  looked  so  homely  before,"  was 
her  aunt's  greeting.  She  only  relented  when  Hilde- 
garde  pleaded  a  bad  headache.  Then  the  aunt 
breathed  a  sigh  of  relief.  But  the  next  morning  and 
the  following  days  the  girl's  looks  were  not  satisfac- 
tory to  her  relative.  There  was  no  question  but  that 
she  was  no  longer  the  stunning  beauty  she  had  been. 
The  aunt  looked  at  her  with  compassionate  eyes,  and 
more  to  herself  than  to  her  niece  she  said :  "  It  is 
time,  high  time." 

"  It  is,"  Hildegarde  assented.  "  I  can  endure  this 
life  no  longer.  If  I  don't  find  a  suitor  this  season — 
and  I  know  full  well  I  won't — then  I  shall  look  up  a 
position  as  governess,  or  companion,  or  something 
like  that.  This  much  I  do  know — I  won't  go  back 
to  the  house  of  my  parents." 

"  Hildegarde !  "  Frau  von  Warnow  looked  aghast 
at  her  niece,  who  stood  there,  pale,  with  deep  blue 
rings  under  the  eyes,  with  a  sad  and  despondent  ex- 


■  ■:^i.^i^.>.-,v,;'^^-..j^:k.-.     -■■!■»:.   -  .:^   ■"■^•'^iiritf-inli'-'iiiiiii~ii'iilli11liii-1l  Wliflirilllfi-lliiiiiir^'^'-'-'- ■■~'^"'''^^''--""''- 


"^7^    ^ 


48  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

pression  around  the  mouth.  "Hildegarde,  please 
consider  what  you  are  saying.  You  accept  a  position, 
you,  a  bom  Baroness  Wiedemann;  that  will  never 
do.    You  must  show  some  regard  for  us." 

Hildegarde  did  not  reply,  but  her  eyes  showed  such 
determination  that  Frau  von  Warnow  felt  real  con- 
cern, and  made  a  clean  breast  of  it  to  her  husband. 

"  That's  the  upshot  of  it,"  she  said.  "  This  year 
Hildegarde  will  positively  have  been  with  us  for  the 
last  time.  She  is  capable  of  carrying  out  her  resolu- 
tion, and  if  she  does,  it  reflects  on  us.  We  shall  be 
reproached  for  not  having  supported  her  sufficiently 
with  money,  and  people  will  say:  'How  can  a  rich 
family  like  the  Warnows  suffer  a  near  relative  to  ac- 
cept a  position  like  that  for  pay  ? '  We  shall  be  called 
cold  and  loveless.  The  gossip  will  be,  *  If  Hildegarde 
couldn't  stay  at  home  any  longer,  the  only  proper 
thing  would  have  been  to  take  her  into  our  house.' " 

The  captain's  face  expressed  indignation,  his 
underlip  quivered  and  protruded,  he  stroked  his  mus- 
tache still  further  upward :  "  Dear  Clara,  pray  spare 
me  such  things.  Settle  that  between  you  and  Hilde- 
garde. I  have  to  think  of  more  important  matters. 
Within  the  next  few  days  the  major  is  going  to  attend 
the  hour  of  instruction,  and  you  know  very  well  that 
may  come  off  all  right,  or  again  it  may  go  all  wrong." 

"  Very  true,"  assented  his  wife,  and  he  didn't  hear 
the  irony  in  her  words. 

"Well,  I  am  glad  you  can  see  it  is  of  infinitely 
greater  interest  to  me  at  present  that  my  fellows 
should  make  out  well  than  is  the  question  whether 


•.W!i'WJ""i(.";'*!t"J)fS"w>T";:!'  f'5l*«'i'f"')'<?''?';.Jl">**.*!!'-V?^' if  ■.*  '  "■."W"?«r.--^-:-  -         .   -     '  •■'^l^i^jr 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  49 

Hildegarde  accepts  a  position  or  not.  Moreover,  you 
know  best." 

His  wife  understood.  He  had  long  grown  tired 
of  taking  Hildegarde  under  his  wing.  Certainly  he 
liked  her  very  much,  but  her  family  irritated  his 
nerves.  Those  eternal  begging  letters  he  found  "  sim- 
ply disgusting,"  and  yet  he  gave,  partly  to  please 
Hildegarde,  but  partly  also  from  a  feeling  of  caste. 
He  could  not  endure  that  the  "  Buergerlicher  "  mer- 
chant should  have  an  execution  in  the  house  of  his 
cousin,  whose  ancestors  were  already  distinguished 
in  the  days  of  the  Thirty  Years'  War.  Still,  he 
would  have  liked  it  best  if  his  wife  had  not  under- 
taken the  task  of  marrying  off  Hildegarde.  Then 
he  wouldn't  have  come  in  such  close  touch  with  her 
family.  Whenever  a  letter  from  the  Wiedemanns 
came,  he  always  had  a  sensation  that  he  was  handling 
a  matter  not  altogether  clean.  After  he  had  read 
the  letter  through,  he  would  wash  his  hands  with  the 
greatest  care.  Frau  von  Warnow  was  much  worried 
about  Hildegarde.  She  must  not  take  a  position; 
that  would  compromise  her  aunt  too  much.  She 
wouldn't  take  her  into  her  own  house  either,  so  there 
remained  but  one  way  out :  Hildegarde  must  become 
engaged  this  season  at  all  hazards.    But  to  whom  ? 

Frau  von  Warnow  pondered  over  it  the  whole 
night  before  the  entertainment.  Who  should  be 
Hildegarde's  neighbor  at  table?  Only  towards 
morning  did  a  saving  thought  come  to  her.  It  was 
so  simple  she  couldn't  understand  why  it  had  not  oc- 
curred to  her  before.     Winkler  must  marry  Hilde- 


50  FIRST-CLASS   MEN 

giarde.  During  breakfast  she  explained  the  plan 
to  her  niece.  The  latter  listened  without  showing  any- 
special  interest.  What  did  it  matter,  so  long  as  she 
escaped  from  the  domestic  relations,  from  the  terrible 
worry  about  money,  if  she  only  need  listen  no  longer 
to  the  eternal  and  ever-repeated  reproaches.  A  subtle, 
resigned  smile  played  around  her  lovely  mouth.  "  So 
this  time  the  anchor  of  salvation  is  called  Winkler. 
In  your  eyes  it  is  of  no  consequence,  still  I'd  like  to 
know  how  he  looks.    Is  he  nice  ?  " 

Frau  von  Warnow  was  embarrassed  for  a  moment. 
^*  I  don't  know  him  as  yet  myself." 

"And  still  you  recommend  him  to  me  for  a  hus- 
band ?  "    The  accent  bespoke  irony  and  bitterness. 

Frau  von  Warnow  would  not  be  swerved  from  her 
course.  "What  do  you  want?  He's  rich,  his  father 
is  estimated  a  millionaire  many  times  over.  He  is 
exactly  the  thing  for  you.  Have  I  not  spoken  of  him 
to  you  before?  No?  Well,  then,  I  must  have  for- 
gotten his  name.  Thank  the  Lord,  one  rarely  comes 
in  contact  with  '  Buergerliche,'  so  that  it  is  not 
necessary  to  remember  names.  It's  different  with 
Winkler.  He  now  belongs  to  our  regiment,  is  in  my 
husband's  company.  I  suppose  you  know  Erich's 
views  about  ' Buergerliche '  officers?  Still  he  has 
had  to  admit  that  Winkler  made  admirable  efforts, 
and  that  he  will  probably  succeed,  in  the  course  of 
time,  in  creating  a  sort  of  position  for  himself  among 
us.  If  Erich  says  that  much,  it  means  a  good  deal,  a 
decided  recognition.  Till  now,  Winkler,  of  course,  is 
still  on  the  outside,  although  he  has  been  with  us  for 


I  .aI.  ->..  :^-«>  ikT-S^fei 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  61 

more  than  half  a  year.  You  know  prejudices  of 
caste  are  not  so  easily  put  aside.  Winkler  is  in  a 
false  position,  he  is  not  taken  for  full  value,  but  all 
that  would  change  the  instant  he  was  engaged  to  you 
— ^he  would  then  be  remotely  related  to  us.  Through 
you  he  would  belong  to  one  of  the  most  prominent 
families.  As  your  promised  husband,  he  would  not 
only  be  invited  to  the  most  exclusive  houses  occa- 
sionally, as  he  is  now,  but  he  would  be,  in  a  sense, 
at  home  there." 

Frau  von  Wamow  did  not  seriously  mean  what  she 
said ;  on  the  contrary,  she  herself  would  never  recog- 
nize Winkler  as  a  relative.  The  rest  of  the  family 
would  consider  such  a  marriage  as  a  mesalliance. 
Winkler  would  either  not  be  received  at  all,  or  he 
would  be  restricted  to  formal  intercourse,  and  to  the 
exchange  of  the  most  indispensable  civilities.  All 
that  was  of  no  consequence,  of  course.  The  main 
thing  was  that  Hildegarde  should  make  her  match. 

Frau  von  Warnow  was  silent  for  a  moment,  ex- 
hausted by  her  long  speech.  Then  she  turned  to  her 
niece :  "  What  do  you  think  of  my  plan  ?  " 

Hildegarde  did  not  answer.  What  was  the  use 
of  saying :  "  It's  horrible  to  marry  in  such  a  manner 
a  man  whom  I  don't  know,  whom  I  have  never  seen, 
and  of  whom  I  can't  even  say  whether  I  should  like 
him  or  not." 

The  aunt  was  so  preoccupied  with  her  plan  that 
she  did  not  even  notice  Hildegarde's  silence.  She 
did  not  wait  for  an  answer,  but  went  on :  "  Of  course, 
Winkler  takes  jou  in  to  dinner  this  evening." 


-^'-^-•■-'-^-^■- 


62  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

"  But  wouldn't  it  look  rather  odd  if  I  had  a  rela- 
tively young  officer  as  neighbor  at  table,  when  per- 
haps older  gentlemen  will  have  to  go  in  without  a 
lady." 

Frau  von  Warnow  bit  her  lips  in  vexation.  Hilde- 
garde  was  right;  it  wouldn't  do  to  show  her  inten- 
tion too  plainly.  After  a  moment's  thought,  she  be- 
gan: "Perhaps  you  are  right;  I'll  arrange  it  differ- 
ently. Freiherr  von  Mazemann  may  take  you  in  and 
Winkler  sit  on  your  other  side.  Since  he  comes  to 
our  house  for  the  first  time  to-day  and  belongs  to 
Erich's  company,  it  will  seem  all  right  if  I  give  him 
a  prominent  place.  I  shall  say  a  few  friendly  words 
to  him,  perhaps  persuade  Erich  to  welcome  him  at 
table  with  a  little  speech.". 

But  Erich  refused  flatly :  "  That  would  be  going 
too  far.  I  couldn't  excuse  that  before  mv  comrades. 
It  would  actually  provoke  a  protest.  I  cannot  avoid 
inviting  Winkler  as  a  member  of  the  regiment  and 
an  officer  of  my  company.  But  to  toast  him  to-night 
when,  aside  from  the  servants,  he  is  the  only  *  Buer- 
gerlicher '  in  our  house,  is  simply  unthinkable ! " 

His  wife's  plan  to  have  Hildegarde  engaged  to 
Winkler  did  not  meet  with  his  approval.  "  Winkler 
as  a  relative?  Thank  you!  Next  thing  he  and  I 
would  'thou'  each  other.  I'd  rather  Hildegarde 
shouldn't  marry  at  all  than  to  take  a  '  Buergerlicher ' 
for  a  husband." 

He  walked  up  and  down  scolding,  and  quieted 
down  only  when  his  wife,  in  order  to  appease  him, 
said,  though  she  did  not  mean  it :   "  Oh,  we  are  not 


Mr  m'llkei  f  -■ — '■'■'  mkl,  r,  >■  rt   fi  rfhl  ■■■   »       -       '  -    -•   -'■ill'ri'M'ftiii*' '"—•--'■     -'  -^"'  litfta^  rn  i f  mIA  Hiiiriiaili'Mi 


-«p?liBi^(fijni^,iiy.r«(i<ivv».'.^."  ". •    ''^  --T.,-,— --"f-^ir; — .,  -r':"'^'^v^'T'^'''^T;i;r~ "■_'''.    ■V'--     -  ■■  ■•   ''"ff*^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  68 

as  far  as  that  yet.  If  it  comes  to  that,  we  shall  see 
what  is  to  be  done/' 

Just  then  the  servants  entered  to  complete  the 
preparations  for  the  dinner.  For  the  present  the 
matter  was  dropped.  It  was  time  to  dress  for  the 
dinner,  and  the  two  only  met  again  as  the  first  car- 
riage was  arriving. 

"  What  makes  Hildegarde  so  late  ?  " 

At  last  she  appeared  with  the  first  batch  of  guests. 
She  looked  beautiful  in  her  yellow  dress,  though  her 
mouth  showed  a  somewhat  tired  line. 

Carriage  after  carriage  entered  the  doorway.  The 
great  reception  hall  filled  more  a"nd  more.  All  the 
arrivals  knew  each  other,  and  when  they  met  at 
Warnow's,  general  conversation  was  quickly  under 
way.  They  had  barely  seen  each  other  during  the 
whole  summer.  Now  there  was  no  end  of  questions, 
where  and  how  the  summer  had  been  spent,  and  talk 
of  coming  society  events,  and  court  balls  on  the  pro- 
gramme in  the  near  future. 

Among  the  very  last  Winkler  entered.  He  came 
late  purposely,  in  order  to  find  the  whole  company 
assembled,  so  that  he  could  be  presented  to  all  of 
them  in  shortest  order.  He  hardly  knew  any  of  the 
ladies.  Few  of  them  had  received  him  when  he  made 
his  first  official  visiting  round. 

Was  it  accident  or  intention  that  deathly  stillness 
prevailed  when  he  made  his  appearance  ?  George  no- 
ticed how  the  ladies  suddenly  dropped  their  conversa- 
tion and  stared  at  the  strange  face.  For  a  moment 
he  was  embarrassed.     He  did  not  even  know  his 


64  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

hostess.  Which  one  was  it  ?  Then  Frau  von  Warnow 
advanced,  and  Winkler  quickly  drew  near  and  kissed 
her  hand. 

"  A  hearty  welcome  to  you.  Lieutenant  Winkler ; 
I  am  so  glad  to  see  you  with  us." 

The  words  were  audible  to  everyone.  Frau  von 
Warnow  had  accomplished  her  purpose.  It  could  not 
seem  strange  if  she  afterward  showed  him  more  atten- 
tion. She  exchanged  some  friendly  words  with  him, 
and  then  presented  him  to  the  ladies. 

At  last  she  turned  to  her  niece :  "  Hildegarde,  per- 
mit me — Lieutenant  Winkler." 

So  far  Hildegarde  had  remained  in  the  background. 
In  a  way  she  had  attempted  to  avoid  the  presentation. 
It  was  painful  to  her  to  confront  the  man  about 
whom  the  conversation  of  the  morning  had  taken 
place.  She  could  hardly  conceal  her  embarrassment. 
But  George  noticed  nothing.  He  bowed  to  her,  and 
then  went  out  into  the  hall  to  take  off  helmet  and 
sword.  Hildegarde  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief.  The 
first  meeting  was  over.  She  made  up  her  mind  she 
would  engage  her  other  neighbor  at  table  in  conver- 
sation and  pay  no  attention  whatever  to  Winkler. 
But  when  later  on  the  company  entered  the  dining- 
room  and  sat  down  to  the  table  adorned  with  fresh 
flowers,  Hildegarde  soon  discovered  that  her  part- 
ner had  not  grown  any  more  intellectual  nor  any 
more  amusing  since  she  had  met  him  last  year.  Frei- 
herr  von  Masemann  was  of  the  most  ancient  nobility, 
and  a  very  conscientious  oflBcer.  In  other  respects 
he  was  a  nonentity.    He  strove  with  all  his  might  to 


/ 


■-       .  ■        .  .      •     .         i        .       • 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  65 

appear  as  the  most  distinguished  among  the  distin- 
guished. That  was  no  easy  task,  since  there  were 
counts  and  barons  in  the  regiment.  So  he  concluded 
that  it  was  his  sacred  duty  to  demonstrate  by  his 
appearance  and  demeanor  his  high  rank  and  distin- 
guished station.  He  was  reticent  and  self-contained, 
because  he  considered  that  distinguished.  He  spoke 
little,  because  he  deemed  it  more  aristocratic  to  ob- 
serve. Now  he  only  inquired  of  the  lady  how  she  had 
been  during  the  long  time  since  he  had  the  honor  of 
seeing  her  last.  H*e  asked  how  long  she  intended  to 
stay  this  season.  When  he  had  learned  what  actually 
he  was  not  interested  to  know,  he  considered  his  whole 
duty  discharged.  He  remained  silent,  and  when 
Hildegarde  endeavored  to  entertain  him  he  listened 
with  a  kind  of  artificially  interested  expression,  now 
and  then  interposing  a  yes  or  no  or  some  other  in- 
different brief  remark  as  a  matter  of  courtesy. 

"  Baroness,  would  you  have  the  goodness  to  take  the 
dish?" 

With  a  brief  excuse  she  turned  to  her  neighbor  on 
the  right,  took  the  di^  out  of  Winkler's  hand,  and 
handed  it  over  to  her  neighbor  to  the  left. 

"  May  I  trouble  you  once  more.  Baroness." 

She  turned  again  to  the  right  and  looked  at  Wink- 
ler for  the  first  time.  Till  now  she  had  avoided  it  in- 
tentionally. She  was  struck  with  surprise  at  his  in- 
telligent expression  and  at  the  seriousness  of  his 
eyes.  In  his  whole  manner  there  was  nothing  that  be- 
tokened the  officer  of  the  guard,  whose  sole  ambition 
is  to  appear  as  blas6  and  unintellectual  as  possible. 


■***^^''"--*^-*^"=*^'^-"' --"■-■"-'-'•-  ^■-■'■-   ^.•-•-■-^-i...-->.-M.^'-  -^tt.  ■■:■  ■^,«,j.->^.....'»..tft..^V,..:.T^'-;-.-:   ^^  V 


1 


66  FIB8T-CLA88  MEN 

Something  else  pleased  her  too:. the  look  of  gen- 
uine admiration,  almost  of  reverence,  with  which  he 
gazed  at  her.  She  saw  at  once  that  she  pleased  him, 
that  her  beauty  made  a  deep  impression  upon  him. 
It  was  a  great  relief  to  her  that  he  did  not  at  once 
begin  to  pay  court  to  her,  in  the  manner  of  other 
young  officers,  to  play  the  irresistible  who  needs 
only  a  wink  of  his  eye  in  order  to  make  the  conquest 
of  every  young  girl  he  meets. 

"  Perhaps  appearances  deceive,"  thought  Hilde- 
garde,  "but  I  have  gained  some. knowledge  of  men, 
and  I  believe  he  is  good  and  serious."  Suddenly  she 
felt  a  desire  to  talk  with  Y  '.m.  Apparently  he  had 
not  the  courage  to  address  her  first,  possibly  did  not 
know  what  he  might  properly  say  to  her,  an 
entire  stranger  to  him.  So  it  was  for  her  to  start  the 
conversation.  Then  she  suddenly  remembered  that 
she  was  to  try  the  conquest  of  the  heart  of  the  young 
officer  by  her  side,  his  heart  and  his  money,  in  order 
to  free  her  parents  and  her  brother  from  their  finan- 
cial worries. 

A  hot  flush  rose  to  her  cheeks.  She  bent  low  over 
her  plate,  so  as  to  avoid  looking  at  him. 

He  misunderstood  her  embarrassment,  and  said 
with  honest  candor :  "  I  beg  your  pardon,  Baroness,  if 
my  looks  offended  you.  I  can  only  offer  the  excuse 
that  I  have  never  yet  found  so  much  beauty  and  grace 
united  in  one  person.  It  was  by  no  means  my  inten- 
tion to  grieve  you." 

That  sounded  so  frank  and  honest,  that  his  words 
accomplished  the  opposite  of  their  purpose;  again  a 


■""~''^-'""- -- '"   -  *■-  ■■ ■'        '  iMiiiitiiinilrui     iih-imIm  iiriiftriliiiiiaiiiTilafifilBiiliiii 


WW-'' 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  57 

flush  mantled  her  face.  In  her  heart  she  felt  that 
she  was  really  unworthy  of  the  young  officer. 

She  regained  her  composure,  and  with  an  effort  at 
jesting,  she  said :  "  You  begin  your  compliments  be- 
fore the  champagne.  Lieutenant.^' 

"  I  am  glad  that  you  are  not  angry  with  me,"  he 
replied. 

The  ice  was  now  broken,  and  they  began  to  talk  to- 
gether. George  had  a  pleasant  way  of  speaking  and 
a  fine  voice.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  her  to  listen  to 
him.  Every  word  he  said  made  it  clear  to  her  that 
he  was  a  thoroughly  cultivated  man,  who  had  read  a 
great  deal,  had  serious  interests,  and  that  he  sur- 
passed by  far,  in  knowledge  and  intellectual  culture, 
all  his  comrades. 

"If  I  had  not  become  lieutenant,  I  should  have 
studied  political  economy,"  he  said,  in  reply  to  one 
of  her  remarks.  "My  father  has  a  very  large  fac- 
tory, employing  thousands  of  workers.  He  is  always 
endeavoring  to  improve  their  social  and  material  con- 
dition. He  provides  healthy  and  cheap  homes  for 
them,  has  founded  a  library,  playgrounds  and  recrea- 
tion places  for  the  children;  in  short,  he  does  every- 
thing possible  to  ameliorate  their  condition.  Naturally 
my  father  has  talked  to  me  about  all  these  things.  He 
has  given  me  many  books  to  read,  and  what  I  didn't 
understand  at  first  he  explained.  As  I  said,  if  I  had 
not  become  an  officer,  I  would  devote  myself  to  politi- 
cal economy." 

"  And  why  did  you  become  an  officer  ?  First  of  all, 
does  your  calling  give  you  satisfaction?" 


■  ■--^-'■^:--.- :.:-^ii.~-.-^-A^--:»^:^a— .-^ _*- — .  .  ■   •^-  .^.■.-^-^•^ 


58  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

He  only  replied  to  her  last  question :  "  I  have  been 
but  six  years  in  the  army,  and  cannot  yet  atiswer  with 
a  direct  yes  or  no  whether  this  occupation  will  give 
me  lasting  satisfaction.  Naturally  I  hope  and  believe 
it  will ;  if,  later  on,  I  should  find  that  I  was  mistaken, 
I  should  quit  the  service,  and  after  a  time  take  over 
the  management  of  the  factory.  My  father  has  given 
me  free  choice  in  all  such  matters.  What  I  shall  do 
will  depend  in  a  degree  oa  the  position  I  can  make 
for  myself  here  in  the  regiment.  You  will  under- 
stand that  without  further  explanation  on  my  part.'* 
With  a  clever  turn  he  introduced  another  subject  and 
theti  began  to  tell  her  more  of  the  factory.  Hilde- 
garde  listened  with  lively  interest.  What  she  heard 
was  entirely  new  to  her.  Of  the  life  of  the  other 
half  and  their  work  she  had  no  idea;  she  had  never 
given  thought  to  it.  The  families  she  frequented 
either  lived  on  their  income  or  managed  their  poverty- 
stricken  estates  as  noblemen.  Among  them,  to  work 
for  money  was  looked  upon  as  degrading.  Time 
seemed  to  fly ;  she  talked  only  with  George  and  forgot 
her  partner  altogether.  The  latter  tried  to  address 
a  few  meaningless  phrases  to  her,  but  when  he  noticed 
that  she  kept  on  speaking  with  George  he  turned 
away  again.  His  main  occupation  at  table  was  to  ob- 
serve the  manner  and  behavior  of  his  younger  com- 
rades, whether  they  were  correct  in  every  particular. 
That  was  his  specialty,  for  which  he  was  feared. 
Hardly  a  social  affair  passed  that  did  not  give  him 
an  opportunity  for  taking  a  young  comrade  to  task 
on  the  next  day.    He  was  considered  a  high  authority 


^^•J^-^-nirn  I'r  I   ■----■■"'-  •^irliArimhi'M  ih    fin  f  ■  "-■--'-■---'' 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  59 

in  the  realm  of  good  manners,  and  his  lessons  were 
valued.  Unfortunately  he  had  a  disagreeable  vein 
of  irony  and  sarcasm  in  imparting  his  wisdom,  and 
young  officers  dislike  that  more  than  bluntness. 

Hildegarde  looked  up  in  surprise  when  the  com- 
pany rose  from  the  table.  In  her  aunt's  house  she 
had  often  yearned  for  the  end  of  the  dinner  while  sit- 
ting by  a  lieutenant,  who  was  telling  her  of  his  stupid 
recruits,  or  retailing  a  lot  of  stale  jokes.  Now  she  re- 
gretted it.  An  informal  ball  closed  the  festival.  It 
was  past  midnight  when  the  guests  left.  Hardly  was 
the  last  gone,  when  Frau  von  Warnow  embraced  her 
niece.  "  Hildegarde,  I  am  so  glad.  I  watched  both 
of  you  during  the  dinner.  Afterward  Winkler  did 
not  take  his  eyes  off  you.  This  time  it  will  end  seri- 
ously. It  was  easy  to  see  that  he  was  smitten  with 
you.    I  shall  write  to  your  father  about  it  to-morrow." 

The  words  struck  Hildegarde  like  a  dash  of  cold 
water.  For  the  first  time  she  had  really  enjoyed  her- 
self at  an  entertainment.  During  the  lively  conver- 
sation she  had  forgotten  her  own  fate  and  the  misera- 
ble condition  of  her  parents.  Now  it  all  rose  before 
her  clearly ;  she  felt  crushed. 

"Mark  my  words,  Hildegarde,  in  three  months, 
at  the  latest,  we  shall  celebrate  your  engagement.  If 
you  had  always  been  as  engaging  and  charming  as 
you  were  to  Winkler  you  would  have  been  married 
long  ago.  To-night  you  did  admirably.  Winkler 
had  to  fall  in  love  with  you." 

Hildegarde  was  struck  as  if  by  a  blow.  In  the 
course  of  the  evening  she  had  forgotten  that  her 


-'•*  '■'-■"^■'•t— -i*^-  -*ii^'i  iii-iifMi  m'm'Yr''r     -' 


60  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

aunt  had  a  plan  regarding  Lieutenant  Winkler.  Now 
she  was  told  that  she  had  spread  her  net  cleverly. 
What  seemed  like  an  insult  to  her  sensitiveness  ap- 
peared to  her  aunt  as  an  achievement  worthy  of 
praise. 

A  hasty  answer  was  on  the  tip  of  her  tongue,  but 
she  controlled  herself  and  kept  her  peace.  Long 
since  she  had  given  up  every  endeavor  to  justify  her- 
self. Her  aunt  would  not  believe  her,  they  would 
not  understand  each  other. 

She  was  glad  when  at  last  she  could  seek  her  own 
room.  Then  she  burst  into  passionate  tears.  She  was 
not  conscious  of  any  guilt,  and  yet  she  felt  like  sink- 
ing into  the  ground  for  very  shame. 


■■.* >. J  ..L^  »:>-..^  -^  •-  ■  ■friflii iiii  I  fat  Ml  ■ntiiMMan  mM  iMJirftw  h n'i»\1mWim 


'■■-  ■•    -^^i-'ii  — ■r'lrirJri'ii'miT'i'il 


ffrr^-- 


IV. 


Several  weeks  had  passed.  The  fifth  company  went 
on  watch  at  noon  under  George's  command.  George 
was  in  very  bad  humor.  He  had  just  spoken  his 
mind  to  a  non-commissioned  officer  by  the  name  of 
von  Nissen,  the  favorite  of  the  captain.  The  captain 
insisted  strongly  that  no  abusive  language  should  be 
used.  He  wanted  his  non-commissioned  officers  to 
behave  like  perfect  gentlemen.  George  had  realized 
long  since  the  impracticability  of  this  course.  Cer- 
tainly he  disapproved  of  all  abuse  of  soldiers,  of  blows 
and  tortures,  of  rude  behavior  towards  subordinates; 
on  the  other  hand,  he  also  knew  that  at  the  right 
time  a  vigorous  bit  of  profanity  did  wonders.  The 
men  actually  expected  that  there  should  sometimes 
be  a  hail  of  "  donnerwetters  *'  around  their  heads. 
The  captain  was  so  refined  that  he  would  almost  have 
liked  to  address  his  soldiers  as  "  sir."  On  the  quiet, 
the  fellows  laughed  about  their  superior.  George 
was  convinced  the  company  did  not  do  all  it  might; 
it  often  seemed  to  him  as  if  the  Polacks  and  Eastern 
Prussians  in  his  old  regiment  were  more  presentable 
and  more  efficient  soldiers  than  these  parade  troops 
who  were  handled  with  kid  gloves.  The  non-com- 
missioned officers  of  the  company  followed  in  their 
captain's  footsteps,  partly  because  they  agreed  with 
him,  largely  from  motives  of  self-preservation,  be- 


:■■- j..^.j.  -.<...,  1     ■..'—u:.w.-.-.t».^.-^.j  —  -—.  'i,-|  tiiifii-..- II  T-'    iii'rm  iifeail 


62  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

cause  Herr  von  Warnow  would  pitilessly  get  rid  of 
any  non-commissioned  officer  whose  scolding  or  curs- 
ing gave  him  annoyance.  To  George  the  most  dis- 
agreeable of  the  non-commissioned  officers  was  von 
Nissen,  a  former  one-year  volunteer,  who  had  failed 
on  the  way  of  promotion  to  officer's  rank.  Because 
of  his  nobility  he  was  the  captain  enfant  gate,  and 
was  to  be  promoted  by  and  by  to  the  rank  of  sergeant. 
He  was  an  eye-servant  of  the  worst  kind,  always 
faultlessly  dressed,  and  making  a  good  impression  as 
to  his  outward  appearance.  George  did  not  know 
how  it  was,  but  from  the  very  first  day  he  disliked 
the  man ;  he  mistrusted  his  grey,  crafty  eyes.  It  was 
especially  disagreeable  to  him  that  this  particular 
non-commissioned  officer  had  been  detailed  to  teach 
him  the  ropes,  as  it  were,  so  as  to  be  able  to  tell  him 
at  any  time :  "  The  captain  desires  this  done  so-and- 
so." 

George  disliked  the  manner  in  which  his  subordi- 
nate treated  his  men.  Nissen  was  always  outwardly 
civil  toward  his  subordinates,  but  his  words  seemed  to 
contain  some  secret  threat.  Often  George  had  no- 
ticed how  the  men  trembled  before  those  piercing, 
lowering  eyes.  He  was  struck  by  this  again  this 
morning.  The  non-commissioned  officer  had  spoken 
to  a  man  who  had  made  a  mistake  in  his  drill,  appar- 
ently using  the  friendliest  of  terms,  while  his  looks 
portended  nothing  good.  When  George  turned  away, 
he  heard  Nissen  whispering  to  the  man :  "  Before  you 
go  on  watch,  you  report  to  me ;  I  shall  have  a  word  to 
sav  to  vou  to  rouse  vour  sense  of  honor."     The 


■^'"•■— '•-  - -~'    -- '  HiJi  I    ■   "''  ■-^-^■- "  ~ -^^-■' 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  '      63 

soldier's  face  blanched,  and  George  called  the  non- 
commissioned officer  aside.  He  knew  the  expression, 
"  rousing  the  sense  of  honor  " ;  he  knew  that  it  was 
always  done  with  blows  and  ill-treatment.  He  said 
so  to  Nissen;  he  disapproved  of  the  order  that  the 
man  should  report;  and  earnestly  admonished  the 
non-commissioned  officer  to  do  nothing  improper. 
Nissen  loked  astonished  and  insulted.  How  could 
the  lieutenant  think  that  of  him  ?  He  never  did  any- 
thing wrong,  as  the  captain  knew  very  well ;  therefore 
the  captain  had  given  him  full  permission  to  take  the 
men  in  hand  whenever  they  did  not  do  their  duty. 

Von  Nissen  stalked  aroimd  as  if  he  had  received  a 
deadly  insult,  and  George  felt  that  the  captain  would 
have  it  out  with  him  for  daring  to  doubt  his  fa- 
vorite. 

His  premonition  came  true.  The  captain  saw  at 
once  there  was  something  amiss  with  his  favorite,  and 
asked  the  cause.  Nissen,  realizing  full  well  that, 
under  the  rules,  he  could  enter  a  complaint  against 
his  lieutenant  only  after  twenty-four  hours,  would 
not  say  anything  at  first.  Finally,  obeying  a  direct 
order  to  speak,  he  told  the  captain  what  had  hap- 
pened, twisting  his  words  so  cleverly  that  what  ap- 
peared a  simple  statement  of  facts  yet  contained  a 
complaint  about  the  wrong  done  him. 

Herr  von  Warnow  listened  in  silence,  and  then 
said:  "I  shall  speak  to  the  lieutenant."  When  he 
met  Winkler  he  said  rudely :  "  I  have  frequently 
observed.  Lieutenant,  that  you  mistrust  and  su^ect 
the  'non-com'  Nissen.      Let    me    tell   you   he    is 


^fcMiifctMi'iiiMi*'^*iiiat<<'riMffrt'^rih"«iiii  1  iWif'r  ^-'^^^.'i:--'~.'t:~-'^^'~-*~'>^^-^-^-^''^^=^'^:=-^-^--'^>^^^^'^  •-'.f  urtrittfrMii" "  -  i 


64  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

the  best  'non-com"  in  my  company.  You  only 
know  him  for  half  a  year,  but  I  have  known  him 
for  three  years.  He  has  never  given  the  least  occar 
sion  for  reproof.  His  pleasure  in  the  service  and  his 
zeal  must  suffer  through  your  fault-finding.  His 
sense  of  honor  must  be  deeply  offended,  if  you  con- 
sider him  capable  of  such  a  shameful  offence  as  the 
ill-treatment  of  soldiers.  I  must  ask  you  to  consider 
this  seriously.  Lieutenant." 

On  returning  to  his  division,  George  felt  it  very 
unpleasant  that  he  had  to  supervise  the  service  with 
Nissen.  He  noticed  the  malignant  look  in  the  man's 
eyes,  and  yet  had  to  act  as  if  he  saw  nothing.  He 
felt  no  wish  to  be  harsh  to  him  again,  and  to  receive 
in  return  rudeness  on  the  part  of  his  captain.  Till 
now,  the  relation  between  him  and  the  captain  had 
been  fairly  good,  and  he  did  not  wish  to  destroy  it 
intentionally.  "  It  is  no  concern  of  mine,"  he  said 
to  himself  at  last,  "  I  am  not  responsible  for  the 
company,  and  the  captain  is;  if  he  sees  perfection  in 
that  '  non-com,'  I  can  stand  it." 

He  resolved  not  to  bother  with  the  "  non-com  "  in 
the  future,  and  within  a  few  weeks  he  found  that 
things  went  better  in  that  regard.  Evidently  the  cap- 
tain had  made  inquiries  whether  he  let  Nissen  alone, 
and  had  been  answered  in  the  affirmative.  The  cap- 
tain grew  more  amiable  toward  him. 

As  to  the  service  itself,  George  did  not  fare  badly. 
The  inspection  of  his  men  turned  out  satisfactorily, 
his  winter  work  had  been  praised,  his  task  as  a  prac- 
tical officer  had  met  with  approval.    He  was  decidedly 


k'  ■'Wlltaii  rf*'—  - 


— ^— ' 


AUAliu^uihaUhiL. 


FIRST-GLASS  MEK  6§ 

a  good  officer,  his  appearance  in  front  of  the  men, 
his  personal  conduct,  his  behavior  towards  his  sub- 
ordinates, never  gave  occasion  for  reproof.  He  was 
strict  but  just  and  always  equable  in  his  manner, 
and  so  won  the  confidence  of  the  men.  When  one 
day  his  orderly  fell  sick  and  had  to  be  transferred 
to  the  hospital,  and  the  question  was  put  to  the 
soldiers  who  would  volunteer  to  serve  meanwhile  with 
Lieutenant  Winkler,  almost  the  whole  company  ex- 
pressed their  readiness.  That  pleased  even  the  cap- 
tain when  he  heard  of  it.  The  behavior  of  the 
privates  gave  George  great  satisfaction.  It  was  an 
agreeable  sensation  to  him  to  feel  that  he  had  gained 
the  good-will  of  the  rank  and  file.  As  to  the  service 
itself,  things  went  well  with  George,  but  in  regard 
to  social  comradeship  he  stood  with  the  other  offi- 
cers precisely  where  he  had  been  on  the  first  day. 
He  admitted  to  himself  frankly  that  he  had  not  ad- 
vanced a  single  step  so  far.  It  wa^  not  his  fault, 
his  mode  of  life  was  without  reproach,  his  appearance 
modest,  he  was  courteous  toward  his  seniors.  Once 
he  overheard  a  remark  indicating  that  his  comrades 
appreciated  highly  the  fact  that  he  did  not  make  a 
showy  use  of  his  wealth,  but  lived  with  them  in  the 
casino  on  a  modest  footing. 

George  had  taken  great  pains  trying  to  become 
better  acquainted  with  some  of  the  comrades,  to 
sound  their  true  character,  and  to  find  out  whether 
the  aristocratic  and  reserved  manner  shown  was  only 
a  mask,  or  whether  it  reflected  their  innermost  na- 
ture.    Particularly  his  comrade  in  the  company. 


,..\.ir.\    ,t,^i.L 


66 


FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 


Freiherr  von  Masemann,  interested  him  in  this  re- 
spect. In  his  relation  with  comrades  of  his  own  age 
he  always  behaved  as  if  he  was  at  court.  George 
thought  that  the  tone  prevailing  at  table  was  some- 
what artificially  polished.  There  was  lively  conver- 
sation, but  no  harmless  mirth,  no  unrestrained  joy- 
fulness.  George  frequently  felt  bored.  The  conver- 
sation was  mostly  small  talk  about  the  court.  Stories 
without  point  were  told,  stories  that  could  be  of  in- 
terest only  to  the  others  because  they  concerned 
families  of  high  nobility.  As  George  did  not  know 
most  of  those  families,  even  by  name,  the  conversa- 
tion had  absolutely  no  interest  for  him.  A  serious 
subject  was  never  touched.  So  he  contented  himself 
with  the  role  of  a  listener.  As  he  rarely  found  occa- 
sion to  take  an  active  part  in  the  conversation,  his 
reticence  hindered  somewhat  his  becoming  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  others. 

By  degrees  the  regiment  had  accommodated  itself 
to  the  irrevocable  fact  that  George  belonged  to  it. 
But  that  was  all.  They  no  longer  shed  tears  over  it, 
but  they  didn't  seem  glad  of  it  either.  They  were 
courteous,  but  in  their  intercourse  they  raised  a  kind 
of  bar  which  excluded  confidential  and  intimate  rela- 
tions. So  it  came  to  pass  that  George  did  not  have 
a  single  friend  in  the  regiment  for  whom  he  felt 
attachment.  They  showed  a  certain  reserve  toward 
him,  especially  his  comrades  of  the  same  age.  ,Yet, 
naturally,  George  ought  to  have  become  more  intimate 
with  them.  The  most  supercilious  among  the  super- 
cilious crowd,  strangely  enough,  seemed  most  attrac- 


Hi 


ittdi&ja*afcaaiM^AaHkMi&u 


,v..i..^^ -.^.li — a.-.o,i-  ■|iri<i|iMir«i*iiiiiMiiiillilhMini-iiiii  -Hi 


FIB8T-CLA88  MEK  67 

tive  to  Greorge.  It  was  Lieutenant  von  WiUberg,  the 
same  who  burst  into  tears  at  the  time  George's  trans- 
fer was  announced.  He  seemed  possessed  of  a  very 
devil  of  pride,  but  sometimes  had  lucid  moments,  as 
George  called  it,  when  he  showed  a  pleasant,  sunny 
nature,  when  his  youthful,  easy-going  ways  prevailed. 
At  such  moments  George  realized  why  little  WiUberg, 
in  spite  of  his  faults,  was  the  spoiled  fellow  and  the 
favorite  of  the  regiment,  George  did  not  know  of 
Willberg's  behavior  on  the  announcement  of  the 
transfer,  and  therefore  often  felt  a  wish  to  become 
more  intimate  with  him.  So  far  the  occasion  had 
never  offered. 

One  day  when  George  entered  the  regimental  home, 
he  found  there  quite  an  assembly.  Several  guests  had 
been  invited,  comrades  from  other  regiments,  almost 
exclusively  of  the  cavalry.  Naturally,  the  guests  were 
seated  at  the  upper  end  of  the  table,  with  the  older 
Yellow  Butterflies.  Those  sitting  at  the  lower  end 
looked  across  not  without  envy.  The  Husstf  s  and  the 
Uhlans  are  looked  upon  with  considerable  respect 
by  the  infantry  of  the  guard,  because  the  cavalry  is 
considered  the  most  distinguished  arm.  It  was 
noticeable  how  glad  they  all  were  to  have  such  dis- 
tinguished guests  with  them.  Each  vied  with  the 
other  in  amiability,  even  old  captains  and  some 
younger  officers  of  the  staff,  bachelors,  who  dined 
every  day  at  the  regimental  home,  made  no  conceal- 
ment of  the  fact  that  they  were  pleased  by  the  visitors 
and  felt  honored  by  their  presence.  When  they  rose 
from  the  table  and  repaired  to  the  smoking-room  for 


'> 


'-'-* -^  I'^fih^iir^^^-^'^-'-'---*-^^ — ■^-        IT  i--m  -  I?  ti  fJijiiiutUag, 


08 


FIRST-CLASS  MENi 


coffee  and  cigars,  comfortable  large  ama-cliairs  were 
offered  to  the  guests,  the  Yellow  Butterflies  atanding 
around  in  semicircle.  Each  endeavored  to  be  noticed 
by  the  cavalry.  To  have  dined  with  them  was 
considered  the  highest  distinction,  for  the  cavalry 
sometimes  accepted  invitations  from  friendly  regi- 
ments, but  was  extremely  cautious  in  the  selection  of 
guests  they  admitted  to  their  own  home.  Little 
Willberg  outdid  himself  in  his  endeavor  to  be  noticed 
by  the  cavalry.  He  stood  by  the  side  of  Baron  Gers- 
bach,  whose  parents  lived  in  his  own  province.  He 
made  himself  as  agreeable  as  possible  in  an  endeavor 
to  draw  his  guest  into  an  interesting  conversation. 
It  seemed  to  make  no  impression  upon  the  Uhlan,  who 
sat  there,  his  long  legs  outstretched,  nonchalantly 
smoking  one  cigarette  after  the  other. 

But  little  Willberg  was  bound  to  impress  him,  if 
not  as  agreeable  companion  then  as  a  go-ahead,  lively 
fellow.  At  last  he  said :  "  How  is  it,  are  we  going  to 
have  a  little  game  by  and  by  P  " 

Gambling  was  discussed  openly  in  the  regimental 
home.  Of  course  it  was  prohibited.  From  time  to 
time,  at  regular  intervals,  the  king's  orders  regarding 
games  of  chance  were  read  to  the  officers,  and  listened 
to  with  the  reverence  due  to  commands  coming  from 
such  high  quarters.  Beyond  that  nobody  cared  for 
the  prohibitory  regulation.  The  superior  officers 
knew  about  it,  and  closed  their  eyes.  Now  and  then 
it  happened  that  the  commanders  would  gamble  with 
their  own  officers.  What  could  the  superiors  do? 
You  might  watch  over  the  execution  of  an  order  in  a 


i.  ■ 


mnsT'CLAss  men  w 

little  toirn;  in  a  great  garrison  it  became  an  impossi- 
bility. Officers  will  gamble,  and  if  they  cannot  do  it  in 
the  regimental  home  or  at  the  casino,  they  will  gamble 
in  some  club,  or  with  othet  regiments,  or  in  their 
own  quarters.  Whoever  wants  to  gamble,  always  finds 
the  opportunity.  Officially  it  is  asserted,  of  course, 
there  is  no  gambling.  Besides,  there  is  a  difference 
between  gambling  and  gambling.  If  anybody  loses 
twenty  marks,  it  is  nobody's  business,  nor  if  he  loses 
one  hundred.  If  somebody  in  bad  luck  loses  a  thou- 
sand marks,  he  is  no  more  to  blame  than  if  he  had 
put  twenty  marks  on  a  card.  If  the  superiors  were  to 
punish  for  play  every  officer  who  touches  cards,  the 
number  of  officers  would  be  reduced  by  more  than  half 
within  one  year.  The  lieutenants  who  are  caught  at 
cards  are  punished,  for  the  regimental  commanders 
who  tolerate  gambling  are  liable  to  be  dismissed,  if 
it  is  found  that  they  have  not  succeeded  in  enforcing 
the  royal  orders.  Each  colonel  would  like  to  become 
a  general,  and  is  by  no  means  anxious  to  risk  his 
military  existence  unnecessarily  by  a  report  about 
gambling  he  might  just  as  well  omit  making. 

Little  Willberg  repeated  his  question,  to  which  the 
Uhlan  so  far  had  not  deigned  to  reply.  Now  the  guest 
looked  at  him  with  astonishment.  "You  just  wait 
a  little,  you'll  get  rid  of  your  money  quick  enough. 
Have  you  got  so  much  that  you  must  absolutely  lose 
it?" 

Willberg  boastingly  put  his  hand  to  his  pocket: 
"  Quite  full,  a  new  supply  arrived  to-day." 

Willberg  did  not  know  how  it  happened,  but  eome- 


^^It^JMHiiMi !!■  II- 1'      r      irMi>'-'*-  '•'-  '-•-  - 


f^mt  Ull  .J  ■i|^,-i^>.^ji^  jjflS,       jii  »  J...PP-,- ,*j>^-^T .^<y^-p^r>3>vv«^ -fr-^r;.*- - 


70  FIRST-CLASS  MEN. 

how  he  felt  a  little  awkward.  It  had  taken  him  a 
good  while  to  squeeze  a  thousand  marks  out  of  his 
"  old  man  "  for  the  purpose  of  paying  some  pressing 
debts.  He  felt  that  it  wouldn't  be  quite  the  thing 
to  risk  the  money  at  play.  Yet  he  would  have  died 
sooner  than  to  admit  he  had  been  only  bluffing,  and  to 
make  himself  ridiculous  before  the  Uhlan  in  his  high 
boots  with  silver  spurs.  At  all  events,  he  was  firmly 
resolved  not  to  risk  more  than  half  of  the  money.  If 
he  should  lose  that  he  would  stop.  Should  he  win, 
then  he  would  see  what  to  do  next. 

Baron  Gersbach  was  known  as  a  great  gambler.  It 
was  an  open  secret  that  he  drew  his  main  support 
from- play.  He  had  long  since  spent  his  own  fortune. 
He  had  no  allowance  from  home,  and  yet  his  pockets 
were  always  stuffed  with  thousand-mark  notes.  Some 
people  wondered  to  see  him  still  tolerated  in  the  army. 
Evidently  he  had  protection  in  very  high  quarters. 
Stories  went  around  that  even  his  superiors  and  men 
of  the  highest  circles  had  gambled  with  him.  Cu- 
riously enough  he  was  an  excellent  officer,  an  excep- 
tionally good  horseman  who  had  achieved  success  at 
the  races.  He  might  be  called  a  professional  gambler, 
but  it  was  known  that  his  play  was  faultlessly  cor- 
rect, faultlessly  distinguished.  He  didn't  gamble 
every  day,  but  occasionally  when  he  felt  the  necessity 
of  making  a  great  coup.  He  touched  the  cards  only 
when  an  inner  voice  told  him:  "To-day  you  win!" 
Unless  he  felt  sure  of  that,  he  could  not  be  drawn  into 
any  games.  So  he  really  always  succeeded  in  winning. 
It  was  somewhat  astonishing  that  he  could  go  on  find- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  71 

ing  people  who  were  willing  to  let  him  win  their 
money.  But  they  all  hoped  that  he  might  lose  this 
time,  therefore  they  tried  their  luck  again  and  again. 
Those  \^ho  had  never  played  with  him  before  con- 
sidered it  a  great  honor  and  distinction  to  be  invited 
to  a  game  with  a  Uhlan.  You  were  not  considered  in 
full  standing  until  you  had  played  with  him  at  least 
once. 

From  a  sense  of  courtesy,  they  waited  until  the  staff 
officers  had  gone  away.  One  major  felt  it  a  hardship 
to  leave.  He  was  a  gambler  to  the  marrow  of  his 
bones,  and  would  have  liked  ever  so  much  to  remain. 
They  all  knew  it,  but  he  owed  a  sacrifice  to  his  posi- 
tion. It  wouldn't  do  for  him  to  take  the  money  of 
the  young  lieutetiants,  at  least  not  in  the  regimental 
home. 

When  the  staff  officers  had  left,  the  artificial  steadi- 
ness of  the  rest  gave  way.  George  looked  at  his 
comrades  in  astonishment.  They  had  often  played 
in  his  presence,  but  he  had  never  seen  them  so  ex- 
cited. It  was  the  first  time  that  their  calmness  and 
correct  demeanor  had  disappeared.  It  was  as  if  an 
evil  spirit  had  taken  possession  of  them,  a  wild  agita- 
tion, the  passion  of  gambling  had  seized  them  all. 
They  were  nervous  and  excited,  preoccupied  with  the 
question :  "  Will  you  win  or  lose  ?  "  Their  eyes  shone, 
their  faces  blanched,  their  hands  quivered  with  the 
growing  excitement. 

Only  one  remained  entirely  calm — ^the  Uhlan.  He 
sat  back  in  his  chair,  his  legs  still  outstretched,  and 
did  not  seem  to  notice  in  the  least  the  preparations 


72  FIRST'CLASS  MEN 

for  the  coming  battle.  Whether  the  same  calm  was 
within  him,  who  could  know?  Externally,  nothing 
betrayed  excitement. 

At  last  the  gaming  table  was  ready  and  the  aide* 
de-camp  of  the  regiment.  Count  Wettborn,  turned  to 
Baron  Gersbach:  "Well,  how  is  it,  are  we  going  to 
have  a  little  game  ?  "  It  was  for  the  Uhlan  to  decide. 
If  he  said  no,  the  whole  excitement  went  for  noth- 
ing, since  without  him  it  would  only  be  a  kind  of 
family  affair,  petty  inoffensive  gambling.  The  Uhlan, 
however,  was  in  good  humor  to-day.  This  morning, 
rising,  he  felt  so  easy  and  well,  that  an  inner  voice 
had  told  him :  "  To-day  you  may  risk  a  great  stroke." 
But  as  a  cautious  man,  he  said  to  himself :  "  If  my 
Leda  takes  the  hurdle  without  a  break,  I  shall  risk 
it."  And  Leda  had  taken  the  obstacle  three  times  in 
perfect  shape.  Then  he  looked  in  his  carefully  con- 
ducted diary  to  see  what  regiment  he  had  not  visited 
for  a  long  time.  The  decision  was  in  favor  of  the 
Yellow  Butterflies.  He  was  satisfied  that  they  would 
be  willing  to  pay  a  few  thousands  without  A  mutmur 
and  without  a  complaint  for  the  honor  of  his  visit. 
So  he  inquired  by  telephone  of  the  aide-de-camp  of 
the  regiment  whether  he  might  come  to  dinner  aUd 
bring  a  few  friends.  Count  Wettborn  was  not  ex- 
actly a  light  of  science,  but  he  understood  the  meanr 
ing  of  the  question,  and  being  himself  a  passionate 
gambler,  he  accepted  joyfully. 

The  Uhlan  rose  from  his  chair  with  inimitable  non- 
chalance and  took  the  seat  offered  by  his  eager  com- 
rades.   Putting  his  hand  into  his  pocket,  he  brought 


. ^. .^: ■  i<in«  ii«r'li'i  •  v  I  lUk 


^^■6-' 

r 


forth  his  poeket-book.  The  others  noticed  with  a 
cert^ip  uneasiness  the  package  of  thousand-mark  notes 
it  contained.  They  were  struck  for  a  moment  with  the 
thought  known  to  all  gamblers.  At  play  only  the 
man  who  has  the  necessary  funds  and  can  stand  pass- 
ing mishaps,  will  win  in  the  end.  Surely  the  Uhlan 
had  the  necessary  funds,  who  could  buck  against  that  ? 
Then  the  aide-de-camp.  Count  Wettborn,  put  his 
pocket-book  upon  the  table,  and  the  Yellow  Butterflies 
noticed  with  a  kind  of  pride  that  it  contained  a  little 
fortune.  The  count  was  rich  and  was  in  addition  the 
fortunate  nephew  of  a  rich  old  uncle  who  gave  him 
large  sums  of  money  from  time  to  time. 

"Isli't  he  a  fine  fellow,  our  count?"  one  Yellow 
Butterfly  whispered  to  the  other.  "  We  may  well  be 
proud  of  him,  he's  all  right  from  crown  to  sole,  and 
so  rich  too,  I  believe  even  the  cavalry  envies  him  us." 

The  others  also  went  into  their  pockets.  Those 
whose  money  consisted  of  notes  of  large  denomina- 
tions carried  in  a  pocket-book,  brought  it  forth  with 
more  or  less  ostentation.  The  others  carrying  a 
limited  supply  of  coin,  produced  a  few  gold  pieces. 
In  the  game  of  the  "  Merry  Seven  "  bets  from  twenty 
marks  upward  were  allowed.  Little  Willberg  pro- 
duced his  thousand-mark  note.  Deeply  in  debt,  he 
had  been  proud  of  its  possession  as  he  walked  through 
the  streets  a  little  while  before.  He  had  felt  easy 
and  relieved  as  if  everybody  must  see  in  him  the 
owner  of  a  thousand-mark  note.  He  had  felt  himself 
rich.  Now,  compared  with  the  amounts  displayed  in 
the  pocket-books  of  the  others,  he  felt  miserably  poor. 


tMti.ii^LiAJ^,JUljLi^:-,^  :^^--.::,.t^tTr--..    ---  .^  -'1  ■"iT^iir'  ■"-■""'  ■"  -'^^'-^-^^-^jij-w,*-.-' — L-.-^-Aav^  r.'t-:  .:•  ■: _ 


74 


FIB8T-CLASS  MEN 


He  was  ashamed  of  his  small  means,  filled  with  envy 
and  dismay.  Wasn't  it  an  eternally  miserable  story, 
always  to  count  with  small  amounts  and  to  say  to 
yourself :  "  You  can't  do  this  and  you  can't  do  that," 
always  to  be  obliged  to  borrow  money.  It  must  be 
wonderfully  nice  to  own  a  full  pocket-book.  It  was 
chic  to  carry  your  money  in  such  a  pocket-book.  In  a 
small  garrison  it  would  not  matter  whether  you  had 
more  or  less  money,  but  at  the  capital  where  you  met 
so  many  distinguished  and  rich  people,  it  was  truly 
tragic  not  to  own  more  than  that  trifling  thousand- 
mark  note. 

The  game  had  been  going  on  for  some  time,  the 
Uhlan  holding  the  bank.  "  Well,  Willberg,  don't  you 
want  to  bet?  You  were  so  impatient  a  little  while 
ago." 

Willberg  roused  himself  from  his  musing.  He  had 
been  standing  in  deep  thought.  The  gold  passing 
from  hand  to  hand,  glittering,  had  struck  his  eyes, 
rousing  in  him  but  one  thought  which  took  complete 
possession  of  him — ^to  own  all  that  money  before  him. 

"  Oh  yes,  quite  right.  Hundred  marks  on  the 
seven.    No,  two  hundred." 

A  second  later  the  money  was  lost. 

"  Two  hundred  again." 

They  also  went. 

"  Two  hundred  again."  This  time  luck  turned  his 
way,  fourteen  hundred  marks  was  paid  out  to  him. 
He  now  bet  four  hundred,  and  won  again,  receiving 
almost  three  thousand  marks  as  his  winning. 

"  My  man,  you  are  in  famous  luck." 


...Jl 


\ 


FIR8T-CLA88  MEN  76 

They  marvelled  at  little  Willberg  as  if  he  had 
accomplished  the  greatest  miracle.  Even  the  Uhlan 
gave  him  an  approving  look,  paying  his  winning  with 
a  loud  "  bravo."  This  praise  made  Willberg  so  proud 
that  he  forthwith  bet  another  four  hundred  marks 
on  the  seven  and  lost. 

George  had  looked  at  the  game  for  a  long  time 
without  taking  any  part  in  it,  now  he  found  it  a  bore 
and  thought  of  stealing  away.  He  passed  the  reading- 
room,  when  somebody  called  to  him.  Turning  around 
he  saw  first  Lieutenant  von  Kirchberg  seated  in  an 
arm-chair. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  he  inquired. 

George  felt  guilty.  It  was  not  considered  correct 
to  take  French  leave.  Still  he  said :  "  I  am  going 
home." 

The  other  looked  up  in  surprise:  "Are  you 
through  ?    Lost  everything  ?  " 

"  I  don't  gamble  at  all,  Herr  Oberleutnant." 

"  Ach  nee ! "  The  other  came  near  dropping  his 
monocle,  and  looked  at  George  for  a  while  as  if  he 
couldn't  comprehend.  "  Ach  nee !  "  he  said  again, 
and  then  went  on :  "  Come,  sit  down  with  me,  you 
must  tell  me  that.  You  must  tell  me  how  you  manage 
to  live  without  gambling,  or  rather  how  you  can 
withstand  the  temptation  ?  " 

"  I  find  that  very  easy,  Herr  Oberleutnant.  The 
game  has  absolutely  no  charm  for  me.  A  few  years 
ago,  when  I  was  in  Monte  Carlo,  I  looked  on  for  hours 
at  a  time  without  wishing  for  a  moment  to  bet." 

"  Ach  nee ! "    The  other  still  stared  at  him  devoid 


-•-•-*- '-^iritinMii-  utcmrmif--'-  -'^'-'lili    'ii  i       ii  i"  'aiMBMi 


n 


Flii8T.ClA88  MM 


of  comprehension.  "Ach  nee,  I  can't  understand  it. 
What  do  you  do  with  your  money,  if  you  don't 
gamble  ? 

"  What  I  don't  use  during  the  month,  I  take  to  the; 
bqjik." 

"  Ach  nee,  can  anybody  do  that  ?  I  mean,  do  you 
enjoy  that?  Why  don't  you  spend  all  your  money? 
You  are  not  a  merchant,  but  a  young  lieutenant.  I 
can  tell  you,  if  I  had  money  I  should  not  put  it  aw9.y-" 

"Kirchberg,  where  have  you  been?"  came  the 
query  from  a  comrade  just  entering.  "You  know, 
we  are  partners  at  play.  Our  first  capital  is  gone  to 
the  devil.  Have  you  got  any  more  money  about 
you  ?  " 

"  Is  the  Uhlan  winning  already  ?  " 

The  other  scratched  his  ear.    "  Horribly." 

Kirchberg  lighted  another  cigarette.  "Theu  we 
had  better  let  him  go  on  in  his  first  fury.  Let  him 
take  first  the  ducats  of  other  people,  then  we  shall 
try  to  get  them  back.  Whom  has  he  taken  ou  just 
now  ?  " 

"  Little  Willberg.  Th^t  fellow  is  in  uncanny  luck 
to-day,  he  bets  steadily  on  the  seven,  and  it  turned 
up  five  times  in  succession.  The  fellow  is  rolling  in 
gold,  and  naturally  the  Uhlau  would  like  to  get  his 
money  back." 

*■  Has  Willberg  steady  nerves  ?  " 

"  JIow  should  he  have  ?  Jle  is  trembling  with  excite- 
ment." 

"  That's  too  bad,  he's  lost;  I  have  got  to  take  that 


m. 


}f 


... .  -■■•.^^■■. 


.J... 


FIRST-CLASS  MM.  H 

He  rose  ;ind  went  back  to  the  gamiiig-rootD.  In- 
voluntarily, George  followed.  Hfe  felt  is  if  he  ihust 
help  Willberg,  as  if  he  must  whispfet  to  hiin:  "Be 
sensible  and  stop  now;  pocket  ybut  winnings,  and 
you'll  have  enough  for  a  long  time." 

Willbferg  wouldn't  think  of  stoppihg.  J'br  a  little 
while  luck  had  ttirned  against  him,  but  with  another 
turn  he  begaii  winning  again.  The  ttthfers  had  long 
ceased  to  play,  looking  on  at  the  battle  betwfeen  the 
two.  Willbferg  was  excited  and  hervous,  feverish  and 
trembling;  the  tJhlan  perfectly  calm,  immovable  like 
a  statile,  not  an  eyelash  quivering,  his  hand  hot 
trembling  in  the  least,  when  he  pushfed  thfe  winnings 
over  to  his  adversary.  He  had  to  pay  out  Islrge  sums, 
the  money  that  he  had  won  bfefore  from  the  others 
was  long  gone.  The  notes  originally  taken  from  his 
pocket-book  had  dwindled  down  to  a  sriiall  heaj).  Gold 
and  J)aper  afcciimulated  in  front  of  Willberg  until  he 
had  about  twenty  thousand  marks  in  the  pile. 

The  Uhlan  counted  his  money.  "  I  can  accept  a 
thousand  marks  oh  the  seven  for  the  last  time;  if  I 
lose  and  have  to  pay  out  seven  thousand  markSj  the 
bank  is  broke." 

An  indescribable  excitement  seized  all  of  them. 
Kever  before  had  they  seen  the  Uhlan  losing  so  heavily. 
The  Yellow  Butterflies  were  full  of  pride  that  one  of 
their  own  men  should  beat  the  famous  gambler.  Will- 
berg  decided  to  risk  the  last  stroke.  The  seven  had 
brought  luck  to  him  so  often  he  would  reinain  faith- 
ful until  the  end. 

"  A  thousand  marks  on  the  seven.** 


78  FIRST-CLASS   MEN, 

The  banker  turned  the  cards:  "Eight."  Com- 
posedly he  raked  in  the  money. 

"  Again  a  thousand  marks  on  the  seven." 

The  cards  showed  six. 

For  a  second  lightning  shone  from  the  eyes  of  the 
Uhlan.  He  knew  he  had  won  the  battle.  It  wouldn't 
be  a  quarter  of  an  hour  before  he  would  recoup  his 
losses.  It  would  have  been  unthinkable  that  he 
should  lose  to-day,  lose  to  this  boy  who  kept  on  play- 
ing so  foolishly,  so  thoughtlessly.  And  Willberg  did 
lose,  the  money  in  front  of  him  shrunk  more  and 
more.  Several  times  the  others  felt  the  temptation 
of  calling  to  him :  "  Stop  now,  save  at  least  a  few 
thousand  marks."  But  as  they  had  seen  the  Uhlan, 
their  guest,  lose  all  before,  they  had  no  right  to  cau- 
tion the  other  fellow  now. 

"Well,  Herr  von  Willberg,  have  you  still  courage?  " 

The  latter  stood  there,  pale  as  a  corpse.  Every 
drop  of  blood  had  vanished  from  his  face.  He  had 
lost  everything,  even  his  own  thousand  marks  that 
he  had  been  so  proud  of.  Not  a  single  coin  remained 
in  front  of  him. 

"  Do  you  want  to  play  on  ?  "  the  Uhlan  asked  a  sec- 
ond time. 

Willberg  looked  around,  perhaps  some  of  the  com- 
rades might  lend  him  money.  But  now  the  aide-de- 
camp interfered :  "  No,  let  it  be  enough  for  to-day  for 
you,  now  the  rest  of  us  are  going  to  try  our  luck." 

The  game  went  on.  Willberg  entered  one  of  the 
adjoining  rooms  and  collapsed  into  a  chair.  The 
tremendous  tension  of  his  nerves  was  followed  by  re- 


■Jiiklln'jMaKh— ■iiiiati 


FIBST-CLASS  MEN  79 

action.  He  buried  his  face  in  his  hands  and  broke 
down  in  convulsive  sobbing. 

Not  far  from  him  stood  George,  looking  at  his 
comrade  with  compassionate  eyes.  He  did  not  under- 
stand how  one  could  be  so  addicted  to  gambling,  yet 
he  felt  pity  for  this  poor  fellow  whose  financial  con- 
dition was  no  secret  to  him.  He  had  been  rich  for  a 
moment,  now  he  was  poorer  than  ever,  because  he  had 
known  for  a  fleeting  instant  the  sensation  of  owning 
money.  It  occurred  to  George  that  he  might  approach 
his  comrade  offering  him  his  help,  biit  he  did  not 
have  the  courage  to  intrude,  he  did  not  wish  to  risk 
a  refusal.  He  realized  that  he  was  right  about  that, 
when  Willberg  presently  arose,  having  composed  him- 
self, and  acted  as  if  he  didn't  see  George  making  ready 
to  go  home.  Was  he  ashamed  of  his  reckless  gambling 
or  of  his  tears?  He  left  without  even  greeting 
George. 

Therefore  he  was  the  more  astonished  when  Will- 
berg paid  him  a  visit  at  noon  the  next  day  in  his  own 
quarters.  He  guessed  from  the  first  the  object  of 
this  call,  and  his  guess  became  a  certainty  when  he 
saw  his  comrade's  pale  face. 

After  a  few  words  of  greeting,  Willberg  came  to  the 
point.  "You  were  present  yesterday  evening,  even 
if  only  as  a  spectator,  and  you  are  aware  that  I  have 
lost  all  my  winnings.  I  lost  a  thousand  marks  more 
which  I  had  received  yesterday  to  pay  some  pressing 
bills.  I  have  tried  to  borrow  the  money  from  one  of 
the  comrades,  but  the  Uhlans  got  them  all  cleaned  out, 
every  one  of  them,  so  that  no  one  to-day  has  a  penny. 


.. IJMM^ilMhyfciifci'iAitiiii'il-iii'ifriliiaiiii^  "itiii  'riri'ii-n—^-'*'-'-^  ■*"'■""- -^r-i>i."-  ii>ilrtift-i*i'r^<ri"MV  i 


§6  first-'clAss  Men 

teven  our  count  walks  around  with  an  empty  pocket- 
book.  So  I  came  to  you  to  ask  yoii  for  the  loaii  of 
a  thousand  marks.  I  tell  you  openly  and  honestly 
that  1  am  unable  to  fix  the  day  when  I  can  return  you 
the  money,  but  1  shall  do  it  as  soon  as  I  am  able,  iipOn 
my  word." 

"  That  isn't  necessary  at  all."  George  had  risen 
and  taken  from  his  desk  the  iiote  which  he  now 
handed  to  his  comrade. 

Willberg  squeezed  his  hand  in  gratitude:  "You 
render  me  a  very  great  service."  After  ah  instant  he 
went  oh,  visibly  embarrassed :  "  I  have  still  ahotheir 
request.  I  can  rely  on  it,  I  trust,  that  you  won't  tell 
anybody  I  borrowed  money  of  you." 

"  How  should  I  ?  "  George  asked  astonished. 

This  answer  did  not  satisfy  the  other.  "  Don't  take 
it  amiss,  I  beg  of  you,  if  I  ask  you  to  promise  me 
upon  your  word  not  to  mention  my  visit  to  anybody." 

George  looked  up  in  surprise.  How  did  Willberg 
come  to  ask  such  a  thing  of  him  ?  But  he  said :  "  If 
it  eases  your  mind,  I'll  cheerfully  give  you  my  word, 
though  I  don't  see  quite  the  object  of  it." 

Willberg  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  after  thank- 
ing him  again  most  cordially,  he  left. 


_^<.^.M1«^ 


■  ^■■L     ._* ,..^ .-     ^^> ^-^  .  ■         W     _^    ^.^       ■  ^^^JtkMjtAgMli^^ 


V. 


Weeks  had  come  and  gone,  and  GeOtgb  still  occu- 
pied what  he  called  the  isolated  stodl  in  the  regiment. 
He  had  no  friend  to  whom  he  could  attach  him- 
self, and  who  fcould  be  attached  to  him.  His  hope 
that  Willbel-g  wbuld  become  more  companionable  since 
he  had  relieved  him  from  his  embarrassment,  was  not 
realized.  On  the  bontrary,  Willberg  seemed  to  know 
him  less  than  ever,  although  he  still  owed  him  the 
money.  George  was  not  exactly  vexed  over  it,  he  had 
had  depressing  experietices  in  that  respect  in  his  old 
regiment.  Having  grown  up  in  other  surroundings, 
he  could  not  understand  the  ideas  of  the  Yellow  But- 
terflies in  money  matters.  •  1 

They  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  to  borrow  of  each 
other,  even  in  the  flresence  of  the  orderlies.  They 
were  not  mincing  about  telling  the  orderlies:  "Ad- 
vance this  or  that  for  me,''  and  the  money  was  not 
always  returned  the  same  day.  It  was  borrowing, 
borrowing,  wherever  possible,  it  was  owing  and  owing 
in  all  nooks  and  corners.  In  the  Stammkneipe  where 
they  met  sometimes  of  an  evening  because  they  could 
not  always  sit  in  the  regimental  home,  some  of  the 
gentlemen  owed  the  waiter  fifty,  sixty  marks  of  money 
borrowed,  and  besides,  a  hundred  marks  more  for 
food  and  drink.  Those  who  were  deepest  in  debt  to 
the  Waiter,  lived  at  a  high  rate^  ate  the  inost  expen- 


*iT  [f-|'  .liWi  (••f    - 


92  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

sive  dishes,  drank  the  most  expensive  wines,  and  said 
on  taking  leave :  "  Muller,  lend  me  twenty  marks,  you 
know  you'll  get  them  back."  Yes,  but  when?  Some 
of  the  gentlemen  owed  the  waiter  for  many  months 
without  thinking  of  paying  him.  As  long  as  they 
wore  the  King's  coat,  the  money  was  sure  enough. 
George  noticed  with  astonishment  that  in  this  regard 
the  officers  in  the  capital  were  as  strict  as  in  his  old 
garrison.  There  it  happened  that  in  the  Stamm- 
kneipe  which  they  had  frequented  for  many  yoars 
a  breach  took  place  between  them  and  the  proprietor. 
The  officers  of  the  garrison  boycotted  the  place,  pledg- 
ing their  word  to  each  other  that  the  owner  should 
never  again  make  a  penny  out  of  them.  No  one 
thought  of  paying  the  debts  owing  partly  to  the  pro- 
prietor, partly  to  the  waiters.  When  the  proprietor 
complained  to  the  commander  of  the  regiment,  the 
commander  did  not  order  payment  within  twenty-four 
hours.  He  gave  his  officers  six  weeks'  time  to  get 
the  matter  settled.  The  proprietor  and  the  waiters 
who  needed  the  money  badly  might  manage  as  they 
could  till  then. 

George  remembered  another  affair  which  had  hap- 
pend  only  a  few  weeks  before.  One  day  a  first  lieu- 
tenant appeared  at  dinner  in  great  excitement,  and 
said  the  hair-dresser  whom  they  all  patronized  had 
written  dunning  him  for  the  trifle  of  a  few  hundred 
marks,  and  threatening  to  collect  the  money  by  mail, 
as  he  needed  it  badly.  The  officer  admitted  frankly 
that  the  hair-dresser  had  sent  him  bills  from  time  to 
time,  but  that  he  had  never  paid  a  penny.    There  was 


.      '-■^-^^^— ■"•■-'•  -£..;.a^.L^Ai^.i-  k-.^rl. ^..-.-.H£  ^^    _^-^._i     ^^/:.'t^„..„.^^-.A^^,-i.A.^-.^^ 


A^ 


.  ui.WI'«i..,Ji-L- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  m 

a  storm  of  indignation  over  the  letter.  Why  should 
the  man  need  money  all  of  a  sudden?  Couldn't  he 
wait?  The  few  hundred  marks  were  certain  to  be 
paid,  and  collection  by  mail  is  not  resorted  to  by  de- 
cent people.  The  upshot  was  an  order  to  the  Yellow 
Butterflies  to  boycott  the  hair-dresser.  The  debts 
contracted  there  by  the  officers  still  remained  unpaid. 

In  regard  to  money  they  had  easy  consciences  and 
lax  principles.  Debts  were  considered  such  only  so 
far  as  they  concerned  money  borrowed.  What  was 
owing  to  tradespeople,  did  not  count.  It  was  their 
business  to  give  credit.  They  might  wait  two  or 
three  years,  sometimes  even  longer,  before  they  ob- 
tained their  money.  They  ought  to  be  glad  to  see 
their  business  frequented,  and  they  had  to  pay  for  the 
opportunity  of  such  distinguished  custom  which 
served  to  advertise  them.  Borrowing  went  on  all 
around.  Once  it  happened  that  the  lieutenant  owed 
twenty  marks  to  his  own  orderly.  This  came  to  light 
at  the  discharge  of  the  recruits.  Before  they  left, 
the  colonel  asked  the  men:  "Has  any  one  of  you  a 
claim  of  any  kitid  against  the  regiment?  If  so,  let 
him  report.'*  One  of  the  men  advanced  and  spoke  up : 
"My  lieutenant  owes  me  twenty  marks  he  borrowed 
when  money  was  sent  to  me  from  home."  Upon  in- 
vestigation this  was  found  to  be  true.  The  man 
finally  received  his  money,  the  lieutenant  was  rebuked 
severely.  Yet  it  was  considered  an  outrage  that  a  dis- 
charged soldier  should  expose  his  former  lieutenant 
in  such  a  manner.  Whether  the  man  was  able  to  do 
without  the  twenty  marks,  nobody  cared. 


§4  PIRST-CLASS  MEN: 

George  remained  an  entire  stranger  to  his  cioffitades. 
Nobody  noticed  him. .  Therefore  he  wks  greatly  dstbn- 
ished  when  one  dajr  after  dihner  the  didfe-de-fcampi  sat 
down  by  his  side,  and  ehgaged  him  in  a  Ibiig  and 
friendly  conversation,  fie  did  noi;  ilndei'siand  the 
reason  for  this  chatige  tif  mannfer  tintil  light  came  to 
him,  when  Count  Wfettbom  said :  "  I  hk^e  ilieant  to 
ask  you  for  some  tiihe.  Why  ydui*  f dtheir  ddes  hbt  take 
steps  to  become  ennobled  ?  Of  cdtirse,  it  is  hot  easy, 
but  your  father  stands  in  stich  high  f^Voir  \^ith  tiis 
Majesty  that  thfe  diificulties  fcoiild  be  surlnoUntfed  if 
he  is  willing  to  spetid  a  few  hundred  thousand  mdi-ks 
for  some  charitable  wdrk.  He  has  the  nieins.  Why 
doesn't  he  do  it?"  • 

"  Because  my  father  Is  prbud  bf  his  '  JBufergetlicher ' 
name." 

The  count  tapped  the  floor  einbdrrassed,  \^ith  his 
foot,  then  wefat  on :  "  Cettkinlyj  ybuf  father  is  right, 
as  far  as  he  himself  is  concerned,  bUt  he  dtlght  tb  Con- 
sider your  position.  Yoil  Would  occhpy  ah  bntirely 
different  position  in  sbciety  once  ^bu  w^fe  &  barbh  or 
a  freiheri*.  The  world,  Idys  great  sl;resS  oh  such 
things,  and  t  think  the  World  is  right.  NoW  that  you 
belong  to  such  a  swell  regiiliellt,  thd  hbbillty  Wotild  be 
of  very  great  value.'* 

»  The  count  dwelt  oh  the  subject  &t  letigtil,  and 
George  begdn  to  realize  that  the  dide-de-canip  did  hot 
speak  from  d  sudden  itiipillse,  biit  hpbn  deliberate  Con- 
sideration, evidently  inspired  by  the  colonel  or  sbme 
other  superior.  The  blood  mounted  tb  George's  face, 
he  blushed  for  the  other  who  talked  to  him  thus. 


fanMhuiii  iiti^t^ia^iiiiiiMAiii>^iri7«iB  ■-      ■■    "*•    — ^----■"J**  •'    .'--H,-,^..  ^-,  ■^. -■--  —  j-KT-.    ^'ift^mfrl*! 


uiiMuite^kktaaiAduaihriMHilftUk 


FIB8T'CMS8  Mm^ 


85 


Did  those  noble  lieutenants,  who  were  nothing  when 
they  doffed  the  uniform,  really  consider  a  "  von " 
bought  for  a  few  hnndred  thousand  niarks  so  much 
more  valuable  than  an  old  "  Buergerlicher  "  name  that 
commanded  the  esteem  of  the  whole  business  world  ? 

He  could  not  refrain  from  the  reply :  "  Nobility  has 
been  offered  mj  father  often  enough,  but  he  h^s 
always  refused." 

"I  can't  understand  that."  The  count  fumbled 
with  his  monocle  and  looked  at  George  perplexed.  ''  1 
really  don't  understand  it,"  he  repeated.  George  real- 
ized that  he  was  in  earnest.  He  could  not  compre- 
hend that  nobility  might  be  refused  for  the  sole 
reason  that  somebody  took  pride  in  his  "Buerger- 
licher "  name. 

Fo?  a  time  the  aide-de-camp  sat  in  silence,  then 
closed  the  conversation,  saying :  "  You  might  write  to 
your  father  again  abont  this  matter,  or  talk  it  over 
with  him.    Perhaps  you  may  change  his  views." 

George  mftde  no  answer.  He  knew  how  his  father 
laughed  at  people  who,  having  become  possessed  of 
a  large  fortune,  had  no  other  ambition  than  to  be 
ennobled.  He  almost  resented  the  aide-de-camp's  talk 
to  him  as  an  insult.  On  thinking  the  matter  over 
calmly,  however,  he  could  not  find  so  much  fault  with 
him.  Pid  not  he  himself  notice  daily  the  preferences 
enjoyed  bynobility,even  in  our  own  enlightened  time? 
Didn't  he  know  how  men  meriting  distinction  and 
praise  were  rewarded  by  elevation  to  the  aristocracy  ? 
Was  not  nobility  preferred  in  the  army?  If  three 
officers  of  equal  qualification  were  considered  for  pro- 


88  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

motion,  one  of  them  being  a  noble,  was  not  almost  in- 
variably the  nobleman  selected  ?  If  in  an  exceptional 
case  a  "  Buergerlicher  "  won  in  the  competition,  was 
he  not  ennobled  shortly  afterward?  The  rank  of 
officers,  as  the  old  saying  goes,  was  only  for  the 
nobility.  That  seemed  true  down  to  the  present  day. 
If  a  "  Buergerlicher  "  did  not  distinguish  himself  in 
a  striking  way,  he  could  not  advance  in  his  career 
and  remained  behind. 

Was  it  different  in  society?  George  had  now  at- 
tended enough  entertainments  to  know  that  every- 
body bowed  before  nobility,  that  the  youngest  noble 
lieutenant  was  preferred  to  a  "  Buergerlicher  "  staff 
officer.  He  had  noticed  often  enough  how  they  whis- 
pered about  him,  how  they  could  not  believe  that  he 
belonged  to  such  a  swell  regiment.  Though  the  words 
were  spoken  in  low  tones,  he  had  overheard  a  young 
lady  whispering  to  her  friend  at  a  ball :  "  If  Lieu- 
tenant Winkler  tries  to  engage  me,  I  shall  tell  him 
my  card  is  filled.  I  don't  dance  with  a '  Buergerlicher' 
as  a  matter  of  principle."  The  other  ladies  too  always 
considered  him  as  a  stranger,  A  slight  inclination 
of  the  head  was  his  only  greeting,  and  the  few  who 
would  shake  his  hand  did  it  without  interrupting 
their  conversation.  They  treated  him  in  a  way  show- 
ing their  condescension.  On  such  occasions  he  felt  iso- 
lated. His  comrades  talked  and  laughed  with  the 
ladies,  had  a  thousand  secrets  and  a  thousand  little 
confidences,  while  he  stood  bored  in  a  corner.  He  was 
a  stranger,  and  nobody  took  pains  to  introduce  him 
and  to  assist  him  in  making  acquaintances. 


.  ■^— ■--•---■--•giiiiniriVitli'iiM 


^^'■'--^-'^  - 


FIRST-CLA88  MEN  ^ 

The  only  person  who  was  always  the  same  toward 
him  was  Hildegarde.  They  met  often  in  society,  and 
a  cordial  friendship  had  sprung  up  between  them. 
Hildegarde  had  spoken  of  herself  and  George  to  her 
relatives  as  the  two  "  outcasts/'  George  was  not  yet 
introduced,  while  she  was  passke  in  society.  She  had 
been  a  young  girl  for  so  long  that  interest  in  her  was 
dying  out.  She  was  invited  because  it  could  not  be 
avoided,  but  people  hoped  she  would  refuse.  When 
she  came  after  all,  mocking  remarks  passed  behind  her 
back.  Hildegarde  acted  as  if  she  did  not  notice.  Yet 
she  understood  the  looks  with  which  people  gazed  at 
her,  and  if  she  didn't  hear  the  words,  she  knew  what 
the  whispered  remarks  meant.  She  felt  it  as  a  great 
sacrifice  to  go  to  such  affairs,  and  would  say  to  herself 
after  every  one :  "  That  was  the  last  to-day,  to-morrow 
I  go  home." 

But  the  mortal  fear  of  her  home  always  caused 
her  to  think :  "  I'd  rather  endure  those  remarks  than 
face  the  misery  and  distress  and  the  insulting  re- 
proaches that  would  await  me  there."  Sometimes  she 
admitted  to  herself  frankly  that  she  also  remained  for 
George's  sake.  Not  that  she  was  in  love  with  him. 
She  had  been  told  so  many  times  love  was  nonsense. 
All  that  mattered  was  whether  a  man  had  money  or 
not.  Her  relatives  had  talked  before  her  about  the 
most  sacred  sentiments  with  such  brutal  frankness 
that  she  believed  her  heart  was  no  longer  capable  of 
love.  In  George,  however,  she  saw  a  true  friend.  He 
was  always  attentive  to  her.  When  he  saw  that  she 
stood  alone,  he  came  to  her  side.    She  felt  his  eyes 


I  ill^  ■"■  -1^*^'^-"^^^-^  -'  -  '^'-^^''''  fW  n-Mf  .■'■  r  II    - 


.T.^ 


88  FmaT-ciAas  Mm. 

resting  upon  her,  and  his  looks  seemed  to  say:  ^*I 
don't  know  what  sorrow  oppresses  you,  but  I  feel  that 
you  are  strange  and  lonely  here  like  myself,  and  there- 
fore I  will  do  for  you  whatever  I  can/' 

They  met  again  this  evening  at  the  American  Lega- 
tion during  a  great  reception,  and  she  was  glad  to  see 
him.  To  please  him  she  had  dressed  with  special  care, 
putting  on  a  new  costume,  a  gift  of  her  aunt.  In 
joyful  expectation  she  had  begun  to  dress  earlier  than 
usual.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  before  the  time  to  start, 
she  stood  before  the  looking-glass  smiliug  to  herself. 
She  was  glad  of  her  own  beauty,  she  knew  that  to- 
night she  would  attract  attention. 

She  was  still  standing,  lost  in  thought,  when  a 
knock  at  her  door  startled  her.  "  Is  it  time  ?  I  am 
ready." 

"  Baroness,  there  is  plenty  of  time,  the  carriage 
hasn't  come  yet,  but  here  is  a  special  letter  for  you." 
Hildegarde  was  startled.  A  special  letter,  what  had 
happened  ? 

She  opened  the  door,  and  took  the  letter  from  the 
hand  of  the  maid.  Recognizing  her  brother's  hand- 
writing, she  felt  a  shock. 

Aggravated,  she  threw  the  letter  upon  the  table. 
Without  opening  it  she  knew  what  it  contained:  a 
request  for  money.  She  was  filled  with  disgust. 
"  That  he  must  spoil  my  pleasure.  How  can  I  ask 
aunt  for  money  on  his  behalf  when  she  has  just  given 
me  this  expensive  dress?"  All  her  happiness  was 
gone.    She  thought:  "  That  letter  shall  not  spoil  my 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN:  m 

evening,  I  will  read  it  to-morrow  or  to-night  when  I 
come  home." 

But  at  last,  she  opefned  the  envelope  and  read: 
"Dear  little  Hildegarde: 

"Yoti  know  the  old  Joke  of  the  night-watchman 
who  rouses  a  wife  from  her  bed  and  calls  to  her: 
*  Frau  Meyer,  don't  get  shocked,  your  husband  is 
dead/  So  I  say  now :  *  Dear  Hiledgarde,  don't  get 
startled,  but  I  need  four  thousand  marks/  I  have 
the  devil's  own  luck.  Yesterday  morning  I  received  a 
heap  of  dunning  letters.  I  don't  know  where  the 
people  who  suddenly  ask  me  for  money  come  from. 
Where  can  I  get  it  without  stealing?  I  have  tried 
my  luck  with  the  cards.  They  also  seem  to  be  in  a 
conspiracy  against  me.  When  I  woke  up  this  morn- 
ing with  a  headache  I  realized  that  I  was  in  for  it  for 
four  thousand  marks.  Thank  the  Lord,  they  have 
given  me  three  days'  grace,  but  by  that  time  the 
matter  must  be  settled,  or  else  nothing  remains  for  me 
but  to  put  a  bullet  through  my  head.  You  know  very 
well,  the  other  debts  are  not  so  pressing,  but  gambling 
debts  are  debts  of  honor,  and  our  honor  must  not  be 
tarnished.  Rather  than  that,  we  have  to  take  leave  of 
this  world.  Better  dead  than  live  without  honor.  As  I 
said  before,  I  need  four  brown  rags,  and  you  have  got 
to  get  them  for  me.  It  will  be  so  much  easier  this 
tittle  to  ask  you  for  this  favor  since  I  have  learned 
with  genuine  pleasure  that  you  are  about  to  become 
engaged.  It  is  high  time  after  all,  Hilda,  for  you 
and  for  us.  In  fact  during  the  last  years  you  have 
lost  your  looks  considerably.     The  last  time  I  saw 


•^,'T-:i'.T' :«-7,— BT>j>  iiiijiii(i(jji^i|^4p__i^ 


90  FIB8T'CLAS8  MEN 

you,  I  felt  shocked.  Understand  me;  you  are  still 
a  pretty  girl,  but  in  comparison  with  former  times? 
The  main  thing  is  that  this  Winkler,  or  whatever  his 
name  is,  dotes  on 'you.  What  sort  of  a  fellow  is  he, 
anyway?  Aunt  wrote  to  mamma  that  he  is  paying 
furious  court  to  you.  You  may  imagine  that  they  are 
transported  with  joy  at  home.  Papa  wrote  me 
because  of  the  good  news  he  at  once  filled  his 
wine  cellar  and  drank  a  bottle  of  French  champagne 
to  your  health.  The  German  champagne  won't  do  any 
more,  the  acid  caused  papa's  stomach  trouble.  Aunt 
reported  that  your  future  father-in-law  manufactures 
buttons.  Horrible  idea,  is  it  really  true  ?  After  all, 
the  main  thing  is  that  he  has  plenty  of  'buttons.' 
Keep  him  on  the  string.  You  still  have  beautiful  eyes, 
use  them  properly  and  you  have  got  him  sure.  When 
you  are  engaged,  which  I  hope  will  be  within  the  next 
few,  days,  let  the  wedding  follow  quickly  so  that  he 
cannot  back  out  nor  find  out  how  we  count  upon  his 
money.  Once  he  is  my  brother-in-law,  I'll  draw  his 
ducats,  never  you  fear. 

"  Well,  Hilda,  enough  of  that  for  to-day.  Service 
calls  me.  The  colonel  has  ordered  a  meeting  of  the 
officers,  the  royal  regulations  about  courts  of  honor 
are  to  be  read  to  us  again.  Nonsense !  As  if  we  did  not 
know  how  to  conduct  ourselves  as  men  of  honor.  The 
man  who  doesn't  feel  the  spirit  within  him  will  never 
learn  it  by  snoring  more  or  less  loudly,  while  those 
endless  orders  are  being  communicated.  Pray  send 
me  the  four  mille.  Uncle  will  give  them  to  you  at 
once,  if  you  tell  him  that  the  money  will  be  refunded 


FIR8T'CLAS8  MEN,      .  91 

immediately  after  your  wedding.  One  more  thing  I 
want  to  tell  you;  have  your  marriage  contract  drawn 
up  before  a  notary,  and  insist  on  a  considerable  allow- 
ance of  pin  money.  In  your  place,  I  should  not  ac- 
cept less  than  forty  mille  annually.  Let  him  pay  for 
it,  if  he  wants  to  marry  into  our  respectable  family. 
By  the  way,  things  seem  to  go  badly  at  home,  in  spite 
of  the  French  champagne,  which  papa  obtained  on 
credit  at  the  news  of  your  coming  engagement.  Papa 
wrote  me  I  might  send  him  a  few  thousand,  or  at 
least  a  few  hundred  marks  if  I  had  a  lucky  stroke 
at  the  gaming  table.  Oh,  if  the  old  man  had  any  idea 
of  the  predicament  I  am  in !  Hilda,  do  your  best,  and 
accept  hearty  gretings  and  kisses,  from  your  faithful 
brother, 

"  Fritz." 

During  the  reading  of  these  lines,  the  blood  receded 
from  Hildegarde's  face.  She  stood  motionless,  seized 
with  disgust,  such  as  she  often  felt  on  receiving  news 
from  home.  She  tore  the  letter  into  a  thousand  bits 
and  threw  them  to  the  floor.  Then  dropping  into  a 
chair,  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands.  "That  they 
are  not  ashamed  to  write  to  me  thus,"  she  cried. 
"  That  they  have  the  courage  to  look  upon  me  as  a 
wanton  selling  herself  to  the  highest  bidder.  How  did 
Fritz  write : '  Let  him  pay  for  it,  if  he  wants  to  marry 
into  our  respectable  family.'  Eespectable ! "  She 
laughed  bitterly.  "  We  are  bankrupts  and  gamblers, 
people  with  whom  nobody  would  associate  if  we  didn't 
have  a  noble  name.    If  a  man  wears  a  uniform  and 


■  -^  ::-vi^ .-  ■  n  j.-j  ,-MWJiia 


9B  FIM8T'CLA88  MSN\ 

belongs  to  the  nobility,  he  must  be  a  man  of  honor." 
She  started  up  as  her  aunt  entered  to  see  whether  she 
had  finished  her  toilette. 
"  Hildegarde,  how  you  look !  What  has  happened  ?  " 
Hildegarde  shrugged  her  shouldets  in  disdain. 
"  What  has  happened  ?  You  see  the  torn  letter.  Ftitz 
has  gambled  again,  he  needs  four  thousand  marks, 
and  I  am  to  beg  the  money  from  you.''  With  a  pas- 
sion she  could  no  longer  control,  she  suddenly  ctied 
out :  "  Aunt,  how  did  you  come  to  tell  my  people  that 
my  engagement  to  Winkler  is  impending  ?  That  was 
wrong,  more  than  wrong  of  yoU.  The  inevitable  con- 
sequences have  followed.  Both  father  and  Fritz  have 
contracted  debts  upon  debts  on  account  of  the  future 
son-in-law  and  brother-in-law.  Let  me  tell  you  this. 
Aunt,  I  do  not  know  whether  Winkler  is  in  love  with 
me,  I  hardly  believe  it.  But  if  he  should  love  me  and 
ever  propose  to  me,  I  know  what  I  should  do.  I 
should  open  his  eyes,  I  should  tell  him  when  he  asks 
for  my  hand  how  I  have  been  sent  year  after  yeat  to 
the  capital  to  catch  a  rich  husband,  how  my  relatives 
count  upon  his  money,  how  they  think  of  his  '  Buerg- 
erlicher '  name.  I  shall  tell  him  all ;  for  If  I  do  not 
love  Winkler  I  respect  and  esteem  him  far  too  much 
to  betray  him.  He  must  see  clearly,  he  must  know 
into  what  an  honorable  family  he  is  going  to  marry. 
I  shall  tell  him  all." 

"  You  will  do  no  such  thing."  Frau  von  Warnow 
had  listened  in  consternation.  It  took  her  a  long  time 
to  compose  herself.  "You  will  not  do  it,"  she  exclaimed 
excitedly,  "  it  is  your  duty  to  think  not  only  of  your 


^^*^^*^^''**^*^-*—*^"^*-'^--^—^— ■—"'—-■■  ■■■■  -- ■'' — •^■-'■-i^- .>     -■-   ■'■  -  ^.-:..-w.j  _  k''^-,,,  .;,.  k,  .^  >j'jL^'>.-. ..    -  .^iJ 


FIB8T'CLAS8  MEN  03 

own  family,  but  of  us  as  well.  I  will  not  reckon  what  we 
have  done  for  you.  True,  we  are  rich,  but  we  should 
not  have  spent  thousands  upon  thousands  upon  you, 
your  parents  and  your  brother,  if  we  had  not  con- 
sidered it  as  a  matter  of  course  that  you  would  refund 
the  money  later  on.  If  you  say  you  are  going  to  tell 
Winkler  everjrthing  before  the  wedding,  you  are 
simply  uttering  a  stupidity.  The  few  thousand  marks 
don't  amount  to  anything  for  a  man  of  his  large 
fortune,  and  he  is  shrewd  enough  to  say  to  himself 
that  a  young  and  beautiful  woman  like  you  takes  a 
*  Buergerlicher  *  lieutenant  solely  for  his  money.  If 
you  confess  everything  to  him  in  advance,  you  caution 
him,  as  it  were,  not  to  marry  you.  What  remains  for 
him  then  but  to  withdraw  ?    And  what  then  ?  " 

Hildegarde  shrugged  her  beautiful  shoulders. 
"What  then?  That's  of  no  consequence  to  me.  I 
shall  not  starve,  I  told  you  before  that  I  should  look 
for  a  position." 

The  aunt  laughed  derisively:  "You  are  crazy! 
What  have  you  learned  ?  What  can  you  do  ?  Do  you 
know  anything  about  housekeeping  or  about  cooking  ? 
You  couldn't  even  go  as  a  companion.  Your  music 
is  worse  than  indifferent,  you  cannot  read  to  people, 
your  knowledge  of  foreign  languages  amounts  to  noth- 
ing, how  are  you  going  to  earn  your  bread  ?  "  She  had 
spoken  with  cruel  irony.  But  now,  perceiving  the 
despondent  expression  in  Hildegarde's  face,  pity  pre- 
vailed, and  almost  tenderly  she  put  her  arm  around 
Hildegarde's  neck.  "  Don't  be  downcast,  it  will  come 
out  better  than  you  think.    I  understand  and  can  feel 


94  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

with  you  that  Fritz's  letter  excited  you.  He  doesn't 
mean  any  harm.  To-morrow  I  am  going  to  urge  uncle 
to  send  him  the  money.  My  husband  must  let  him 
have  it  as  a  present,  or  else  I  will  do  it.  Now  hold 
your  head  high.    It  is  time  for  us  to  go." 

"  Please  go,  Aunt,  and  let  me  stay  at  home.  I  am 
not  in  the  mood  to  go." 

"  Hildegarde,"  the  aunt  thought  she  had  not  heard 
aright,  "  you  want  to  stay  at  home  ?  That  will  never 
do.  You  must  not  be  missed  at  the  reception  to-day. 
The  Court  has  announced  its  intention  to  be  present 
Do  you  think  I  gave  you  this  expensive  new  dress  for 
the  purpose  of  hanging  it  up  in  your  closet?  What 
am  I  to  answer  when  people  inquire  for  you  ?  " 

A  tired  smile  played  around  Hildegarde's  mouth. 
"  They  will  not  inquire  for  me.  They  will  be  glad 
not  to  see  me  for  once." 

"  And  Winkler  ?  What  am  I  to  reply  to  him  when 
he  asks  for  you  ?  "  The  girl  looked  at  her  aimt  in 
great  astonishment. 

"Don't  you  understand  that  it  is  on  his  account 
I  don't  wish  to  go  ?  After  the  letter  from  Fritz,  and 
after  what  we  said  to  each  other  just  now,  it  would 
be  impossible  for  me  to  face  him."  Then  she  sud- 
denly changed  her  mind.  "No,  you  are  right.  I 
had  looked  forward  to  this  day  with  so  much  pleasure 
that  I  am  not  going  to  have  it  spoiled  at  the  last 
moment."    The  aunt  embraced  her  tenderly. 

"  That  is  right,  my  child;  come  now,  the  carriage  is 
waiting." 

They  drove  to  the  embassy.     They  were  rather 


dauilaailHiliiA^ 


FIBST'CLASS  MEN  95 

late,  a  great  row  of  carriages  was  standing  in  front 
of  the  gate,  and  it  took  a  long  time  before  their  car- 
riage could  draw  up.  Herr  and  Frau  von  Warnow 
conversed  with  animation  about  the  occupants  of  the 
other  carriages  near  them.  They  exchanged  remarks 
about  the  style  of  the  various  vehicles,  and  hazarded 
guesses  as  to  what  personages  of  the  Court  would 
appear.  Hildegarde  sat  silent  in  her  corner.  In 
reply  to  a  question  from  her  uncle,  she  com- 
plained of  headache,  and  Frau  von  Wamow  made 
her  husband  understand  by  a  sign  not  to  insist 
further.  She  could  think  her  own  thoughts  without 
interruption.  Why  was  it  she  had  changed  her  mind 
and  gone  to  the  reception  ?  She  had  felt  a  strong  de- 
sire to  meet  George,  to  see  a  decent  man  for  once, 
and  to  speak  with  him.  She  did  not  know  herself 
how  she  was  to  set  about  it,  but  she  was  resolved  to 
tell  him.  Bestow  your  favor  upon  another  who  is 
more  worthy  of  you  than  I.  Before  allowing  his 
homage  further,  she  would  tell  him  of  her  family 
and  of  her  brother.  If,  after  that,  he  continued  to 
treat  her  with  marked  attention  and  to  woo  her,  she 
would  feel  free  from  guilt  towards  him.  She  could 
look  into  his  eyes  openly  and  frankly. 

"  Aren't  you  going  to  alight  ?  " 

Hildegarde  started.  She  had  been  sitting  with  her 
eyes  closed,  without  noticing  that  the  door  of  the  car- 
riage had  been  opened.  She  followed  the  others,  and 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  entered  the  reception  rooms 
where  a  brilliant  assembly  surged  to  and  fro.  There 
was  a  steady  greeting,  an  eternal  handshaking.    Ex- 


.^HfMiiiMiuttb 


96  FIR8T.CLA88  MENi 

pectantly,  all  eyes  turned  toward  the  entry.  They 
waited  for  the  Court.  Without  confessing  it  to  them- 
selves, they  were  in  feverish  excitement  as  to  whether 
His  Majesty  would  notice  them,  speak  to  them,  or 
distinguish  them  by  a  handshake.  Each  expected  such 
distinction  for  himself,  grudging  it  to  the  others ;  each 
hoped  to  be  the  only  one  in  the  room  to  be  noticed  by 
the  King.  George  stood  by  Hildegarde's  side.  She 
had  seen  that  he  was  seeking  her,  and  she  had  hoped 
to  be  able  to  avoid  him.  But  her  tall  figure  made  it 
easy  for  him  not  to  lose  sight  of  her.  She  feigned 
surprise  when  he  addressed  her,  but  she  read  plainly 
in  his  eyes  thq.t  he  had  divined  her  feeling.  He  asked 
without  further  preliminaries :  "  Do  you  feel  offended 
with  me  for  any  reason.  Baroness  ?  " 

She  looked  at  him  openly  and  honestly.  "  No,  Hen* 
Lieutenant." 

His  face  brightened.  "  Then  I  am  satisfied." 
After  a  moment  he  continued :  "  You  avoided  me  a 
while  ago.  Is  it  disagreeable  to  you  if  I  remain  stand- 
ing at  your  side  ?  " 

Again  her  frank  eyes  met  his.  "  Oh,  no,  Herr 
liieutenant."  After  some  hesitation  she  added :  "  Will 
you  please  take  me  to  the  table  later  on  ?  "  What  she 
meant  to  say  was :  "  I  want  to  talk  to  you  afterward." 
But  she  could  not  bring  herself  to  utter  the  words. 

He  bowed.  "  If  we  should  lose  each  other  in  the 
crowd.  Baroness,  let  us  meet  again  on  this  very  spot. 
Is  that  agreeable  to  you  ?  "  She  nodded  her  assent, 
and  stepped  back  a  little,  for  at  this  moment  came  the 
announcement  of  the  appearance  of  the  Court.    A 


FIR8T-CLA88  MSN  97 

mysterions  hush  fell  upon  the  crowd ;  the  murmur  of 
voices  died  out;  all  looked  upon  His  Majesty,  who 
had  entered  the  hall  and  walked  with  a  friendly  smile 
through  the  long  rows  of  bowing  guests.  Now  and 
then  he  would  stop,  exchanging  a  friendly  word  or  a 
handshake.  Everj  one  so  distinguished  was  almost 
devoured  by  the  envious  looks  of  the  others. 

Suddenly  His  Majesty  stopped  in  front  of  George, 
extending  his  hand  graciously.  ^*  Ah,  my  dear  Wink- 
ler, how  are  you?  I  had  an  interesting  report  from 
your  father  to-day,  and  I  ghall  ask  him  in  the  near 
future  to  make  another  report  to  me.  You  and  your 
father  must  dine  with  me." 

George  bent  over  to  kiss  the  hand  of  his  King,  but 
His  Majesty  had  already  seen  Hildegarde,  and  greeted 
her,  too,  with  a  friendly  smile.  "  Do  you  still  go  on 
turning  the  heads  of  my  lieutenants.  Baroness  ?  "  he 
asked  jestingly.  **  It  is  easy  for  one  as  beautiful  as 
you  are.***  And  again  smiling  and  nodding  to  her, 
he  proceeded  on  his  course.  In  the  hush  which  pre- 
vailed, His  Majesty's  words  were  audible  throughout 
the  whole  room.  All  eyes  turned  to  Hildegarde  and 
George,  who,  pleased  by  the  distinction  they  had  re- 
ceived through  the  King's  address,  were  yet  somewhat 
embarrassed  by  the  harmless  royal  Jest.  They  stood 
silent  side  by  side,  both  of  them  relieved  when  life  came 
into  the  assembly,  and  the  crowd  began  again  to  surge 
and  mingle.  They  became  separated  and  saw  each 
other  only  when  supper  was  served  toward  midnight. 
As  usual,  small  tables  were  set  out,  and  George  was 
fortunate  enough  to  find  a  table  whose  other  occupants 


IlitikinlS^ltMi^Mihiiit'  t-T'-   lY        "i"  ■  '.I'ttrifftii  Vhiii  mifiriM&^MiMidiiWit— ^- •'•--"■' ■- 


98 


FIR8T'CLA88  MEN 


were  entire  strangers  to  him.  He  could  talk  with 
Hildegarde  without  being  interrupted.  However,  they 
were  watched  by  the  other  people  at  their  table. 
Some  of  the  ladies  talked  unreservedly  about  the 
words  addressed  to  Hildegarde  by  the  King.  One 
thin,  tall  woman  even  stared  at  Hildegarde  imper- 
tinently through  her  lorgnette  and  remarked,  quite 
audibly :  "  I  don't  understand  why  His  Majesty  finds 
the  Fraulein  beautiful." 

The  Baroness  cast  an  unconcerned  glance  upon  the 
speaker,  and  laughed  aloud ;  then  turning  to  George : 
"  I  can't  tell  you  how  glad  I  am  of  what  the  King 
said  to  you.  I  am  firmly  convinced  that  you  have 
achieved  with  one  stroke  the  position  in  society  and 
in  the  regiment  which  so  far  you  have  endeavored  to 
gain  in  vain." 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "  Don't  you  believe  it, 
Baroness,  I  am  afraid  the  gracious  words  have  in- 
jured me  more  than  they  have  helped  me.  They  will 
grudge  to  me  and  to  my  father  praise  from  such  high 
quarters.  All  that  shall  not  spoil  the  pleasure  I  feel 
because  of  the  distinction  accorded  to  my  father. 
Please  do  me  a  favor,  and  drink  his  health  with  me." 

"  Certainly,  with  pleasure."  The  glasses  touched 
with  a  clear,  ringing  sound. 

"  You  •  must  make  my  father's  acquaintance, 
Baroness,"  he  went  on,  after  a  moment.  "  You  would 
like  him,  though  the  others  here  naturally  don't. 
They  won't  forgive  him  that  he  is  not  dressed  in  the 
latest  fashion  and  ties  his  own  necktie.  You  would 
like  him.    Perhaps  it  can  be  arranged  that  you  make 


W" 


FIR8TtCLA88  men  99 

his  acquaintance  the  next  time  he  is  here.  I  will 
write  him  to  bring  my  sister,  to  whom  I  have  said  so 
much  in  my  letters  about  you  that  she  is  anxious  to 
meet  you." 

She  felt  embarrassed.  So  he  had  written  home 
about  her,  perhaps  even  confessed  that  it  was  his 
intention  to  ask  her  to  be  his  wife.  That  awoke  in  her 
the  recollection  of  her  brother's  letter.  She  must  tell 
him  before  it  was  too  late.  She  would  do  it  now. 
Nobody  paid  any  more  attention  to  them.  Only  how 
was  she  to  put  in  words  that  which  occupied  her 
thoughts  ?  Before  he  had  told  her  that  he  loved  her, 
she  could  not  very  well  exclaim  to  him :  "  Give  up  all 
thoughts  of  me,  because  on  account  of  my  family 
I  never  can  be  yours."  If  she  spoke  to  him  without 
apparent  cause  of  the  misery  at  home,  would  not 
that  cause  him  to  think  she  expected  help  of  some 
kind  from  his  father  or  himself  ?  She  found  no  way 
out.  Another  thing  now  occupied  her.  He  had  never 
before  told  her  of  his  sister.  Astonishment  seized  her. 
She  said :  "  Herr  Lieutenant,  you  have  a  sister  ?  You 
never  told  me  that  before  ?  " 

He  looked  at  her  wonderingly.  "  Did  I  not  ?  You 
must  not  blame  me  for  it,  Baroness,  for  in  your  case 
it  certainly  was  not  intentional." 

"  And  why  did  you  conceal  it  at  all  ?  "  she  inquired 
curiously. 

George  felt  embarrassed  and  blushed  like  a  child. 
"I  hardly  know  myself.  Baroness.  Perhaps  it  is 
because  one  likes  least  to  talk  to  others  about  things 
nearest  one's  heart.    If  I  felt  a  desire  to  talk  about 


->■.—.■,»...    J>-      ..-:  ■■■.^i.^:jv:j!.  ii.  >.■■-.     _:^J>^.„^..^.^■.■^.-    -.. -ji^n:*^  .,    -r.-MJlhli  '-   '     .^c.  t^^lu 


1 


100  FIRST-CLASS  MEN, 

hee,  io  \^om.  conid  I  speak  ?  In  the  regiment  nobody 
takes  any  interest  in  me,  mudi  less  in  my  family, 
and  I  do  not  like  to  speak  without  encouragement." 
After  an  instant,  he  went  on :  "  There  is  still  an- 
other reason  why  I  don't  mention  Elsa." 

"What  is  it?"  she  asked. 

''  I  don't  know  how  to  put  my  meaning  into  words, 
1  should  not  like  to  be  suspected  of  speaking  ill  of 
my  comrades,  neither  should  I  like  to  pose  as 
an  angel  of  light,  which  I  am  not  and  cannot  very  well 
be  at  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  So  much  I  can  tell 
you;  my  comrades  have  a  way  of  talking  at  the 
casino  about  young  ladies  in  society  which  is  revolting 
to  me.  No,  not  revolting,"  he  corrected  himself,  "  I 
always  wonder  and  ask  myself :  *  Have  those  gentle- 
men no  sisters  ?  Because  of  their  own  mothers  have 
they  no  reverence  and  admiration  for  the  other  sex 
that  tliey  should  talk  of  it  contemptuously  as  they 
do  ?  In  my  old  regiment,  it  was  different.  Perhaps 
we  were  not  much  better,  but  the  smallness  of  the 
place,  the  close  relations  entered  into  with  the  in- 
dividual families,  had  the  natural  result  that  we 
judged  the  young  ladies  with  less  freedom,  less 
frivolity.  I  remember  how  once  a  comrade  took  the 
liberty  of  dropping  an  unseemly  remark  about  one 
of  the  ladies  while  we  were  at  mess.  The  orderlies 
were  sent  away,  and  the  senior  at  table,  an  old  cap- 
tain, talked  to  the  young  lieutenant  in  the  presence 
of  all  of  us  like  a  Dutch  uncle." 

'**iniat  is  as  it  should  be,"  Hildegarde  interposed. 

*' Certainly,"  George  assented,  "yet  I  am  all  the 


TK^-^.  •■ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  101 

more  astonished  that  it  is  not  so  with  us  here.  The 
young  ladies  see  in  the  lieutenant  the  highest  ideal  of 
romance.  They  would  blush  with  shame  if  they  knew 
how  the  gentlemen  returning  from  a  society  affair  or 
during  the  next  noon-day  meal,  talked  about  them. 
The  lieutenant  would  soon  cease  to  be  their  ideal.  Of 
course,  there  are  exceptions,  but  the  greater  number 
of  the  comrades  with  us  and  in  other  regiments  are 
exactly  what  I  said.  To  them  woman  is  an  object  for 
trade  like  a  horse.  Why  is  it  that  a  young  girl  counts 
for  very  little  with  the  lieutenants,  that  they  talk 
of  her  without  any  trace  of  respect  ?  I  have  pondered 
a  great  deal  about  it.  Perhaps  education  is  at  the 
bottom  of  it.  Most  of  them  grow  up  in  military 
surroundings,  family  life  is  unknown  to  them.  They 
see  their  sisters  and  their  friends  only  during  leave. 
As  cadets,  they  already  strive  to  make  conquests,  and 
every  conquest  achieved  results  in  lowering  young 
girls  in  their  eyes.  Possibly  the  young  ladies  them- 
selves are  also  at  fault,  for  to  them  solely  the  lieu- 
tenant exists  in  society,  and  the  civilian  counts  only 
if  he  is  at  least  a  reserve  officer.  The  lieutenant 
thinks  of  nothing  but  conquests,  and  victory  is  often 
made  too  easy  for  him.  I  am  not  talking  now  of 
myself,  for  I  am  a  stranger  here,  but  often  enough  I 
hear  my  comrades  tell  of  young  ladies  who  make  ad- 
vances to  them,  send  them  love  letters,  won't  wait  till 
they  are  asked  for  a  meeting,  but  beg  for  permission 
to  meet  them  either  at  some  place  agreed  upon  or  in 
their  own  quarters." 


■ "-'■•-"■''-■  ••-~itfh'l"''7ti^Tiriai<iflVrtMrti^iiv-i»TiAiiifhWiMHJI'ir    ■    ' i£, ■izA^j.&tsid^thtliUi 


102  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

"But,  Herr  Lieutenant/'  Hildegarde  interposed 
"surely  no  lady  would  do  that." 

"  Certainly  a  lady  ought  not  to  do  it,"  he  assented, 
"  but  it  is  done  all  the  same.  Look  around  among  this 
elegant  company.  How  many  of  the  women  here 
have  not  had  their  more  or  less  tender  liaison  with  a 
lieutenant,  not  only  the  married  women,  oh  no,  but 
the  young  girls  who  seem  so  chaste  and  modest,  and 
whose  greatest  pride  for  all  that  consists  in  having 
a  past,  in  spite  of  their  youth  ?  " 

Hildegarde  knew  that  he  was  right.  She  remem- 
bered distinctly  how  in  former  years  when  she  was 
more  closely  affiliated  with  the  young  girls  of  her 
own  age,  almost  every  one  of  them  had  her  lieutenant. 
She  had  often  talked  to  them  about  it,  reproaching 
them  for  their  conduct,  but  each  had  made  the  same 
answer :  "  Why  shouldn't  I  do  it  when  all  the  others 
do  it  ?  What  is  the  use  of  being  young  and  beautiful  ? 
Do  you  believe  that  our  blood  remains  cool  when 
they  pay  court  to  us  the  whole  evening,  when  they 
press  us  to  them  during  the  dance,  and  look  at  us 
with  devouring  glances?  Are  we  to  wait  till  we  are 
married?  That  may  be  a  long  while  oJBf,  perhaps  it 
may  never  be,  and  what  then?  Are  we  to  die  with- 
out having  known  the  joys  of  love  ?  It's  too  stupid ! " 
They  would  tell  each  other  with  cynical  candor  how 
they  managed  to  deceive  their  parents  and  to  prevent 
the  possible  consequences  of  their  intercourse.  Per- 
haps Hildegarde  was  by  nature  too  cold,  too  devoid 
of  passion,  for  she  never  comprehended  her  friends. 
She  could  understand  still  less  how  the  officers  could 


„-i,  ..>.".  i.-,L.a 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  103 

pose  before  the  world  as  men  of  honor,  and  yet,  with- 
out the  least  compunction,  enter  into  liaisons  with  the 
wife  or  the  daughter  of  the  house  they  frequented, 
and  where  they  received  only  kindness.  Once  within 
her  experience  an  officer  had  coolly  entered  upon  re- 
lations with  a  young  lady  who  was  on  the  point  of 
becoming  engaged  to  another.  He  looked  calmly  on 
when  his  comrade  married  the  young  woman,  who 
had  already  passed  through  many  hands,  and,  accord- 
ing to  common  gossip,  had  made  a  conquest  of  every 
man  who  took  her  fancy.  "  When  I  marry,  I  shall 
have  exactly  my  twelfth  wedding  trip,"  she  said.  Her 
chums  laughed  to  split  their  sides  and  envied  her  her 
good  fortune  with  the  men. 

For  a  long  time  Hildegarde  and  George  sat  in 
silence  side  by  side,  each  lost  in  thought.  George 
misunderstood  Hildegarde's  silence.  He  believed 
her  offended  by  his  remarks,  and  he  said :  "  I  beg  of 
you  not  to  be  angry  with  me,  Baroness,  for  speaking 
so  frankly  to  you.  We  have  been  brought  up  in  en- 
tirely different  conditions,  and  with  entirely  different 
views.'' 

She  felt  a  blush  rise  to  her  cheeks.  Grown  up  under 
different  conditions!  It  was  her  own  merit  only  if 
she  was  not  like  her  friends,  her  own  merit,  and  per- 
haps that  of  her  father  and  her  brother,  who  con- 
tinually wrote  to  her :  *'  Don't  throw  yourself  away ; 
enter  into  no  liaison  with  any  one,  unless  you  are 
sure  that  it  will  lead  to  marriage.  Such  a  thing  may 
be  discovered,  and  then  your  price  will  go  down,  and 
all  the  hopes  reposed  in  you  will  go  to  the  devil." 


^■■^^•^  ■.*^^L^»;*al*3:sie.-^-Jj^^J.-  --'-■c-.i^ 


104  FIRST-CLAaS  MBN 

She  had  wondered,  oh,  so  often,  whether  her  Inoiher 
would  be  inconsolable  if  she  wrote  him  some  day: 
**  I  hate  not  found  a  husband,  but  a  good  friend, 
whom  I  have  accepted  as  lover.  If  you  will  forgive 
me,  I  will  pay  your  debts." 

She  did  not  doubt  for  a  moment  that  he  would 
take  the  money  in  order  to  remain  an  ojfficer,  to  go 
on  playing  the  much  envied  and  celebrated  r61e  of  a 
lieutenant  in  society.  Disgust  often  seized  her  when 
she  thought  of  it — and  yet — ^in  that  case  would  her 
brother  do  anything  that  others  had  not  done?  She 
once  had  a  chum  who  made  no  secret  that  she  took 
pay  for  her  love.  It  was  common  gossip  that  the 
brother  knew  of  it  and  borrowed  money  of  his  sister 
regularly  when  she  wrote  him :  "  I  took  supper  yes- 
terday with  a  very  rich  gentleman."  With  the  money 
so  earned  by  the  sister,  the  lieutenant  paid  for  his 
champagne  and  played  the  high-toned  cavalier  in 
society. 

"Are  you  angry  with  me,  Baroness?"  he  asked 
again,  as  she  still  remained  silent. 

She  roused  hersellf  from  her  mUsdngs.  "How 
should  I  be  ?  "  The  subject  had  become  painful  to  her 
for  her  own  sake.  In  order  to  change  it,  she  inquired 
about  his  sister.  Visibly  pleased,  he  told  her  of  Elsa, 
how  pretty  she  was,  how  good  and  kind,  how  they 
had  always  been  the  best  of  friends,  how  they  had 
grown  up  as  true  comrades,  how  he  had  stepped  into 
the  breach  for  her  many  times,  how  once  she  came 
to  his  assistance  with  her  tiny  fists  when  he  was  about 
getting  worsted  in  a  scrap  with  a  school-fellow.    He 


■    d.^^. :..A.,   j.....:i ■.   .     ..■.^.t-    >  -^.l.-...-.l.i-a.«^-g--.— A^... 


:  r^~r  *-■"»'■■ 


FIR8T'CLA88  MEN  106 

apoke  in  a  merry  mood,  his  eyes  beaming  with  happi- 
ness, and  she  listened  attentively. 

"  Do  you  know,  I  envy  you  your  sister  ?  "  she  asked, 
"or,  rather,  I  envy  you  the  tender  relation  between 
you.  Love  between  brother  and  sister  is  something 
very  beautiful." 

"  Yes,  but  you,  too.  Baroness,  are  happily  situated 
in  having  a  brother " 

"Please  don't  talk  about  that  now."  There  was 
so  much  contempt  and  deprecation  in  her  words  that 
he  looked  up  in  astonishment. 

"  But,  Baroness,  he  is  still  your  brother." 

"You  don't  know  him.  Please  let  us  leave  that 
subject." 

"  As  you  wish." 

In  his  embarrassment  he  emptied  his  glass  and 
groped  in  vain  for  another  subject  of  conversation. 
Both  felt  relieved  when  the  company  rose  from  the 
table.  The  ball  kept  those  present  till  the  early  morn- 
ing. During  the  dance  George  did  not  lose  sight  of 
Hildegarde.  He  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  to 
her  some  officers  from  other  regiments  and  new  part- 
ners, and  felt  almost  happier  than  she  herself  over 
the  success  she  achieved  this  evening.  It  was  late 
when  the  gathering  broke  up.  George  had  not  suc- 
ceeded in  taking  leave  of  Hildegarde.  Eather  dis- 
grimtled,  he  walked  with  a  comrade  toward  his  own 
quarters.  His  comrade  must  have  been  preoccupied 
with  a  very  interesting  idea,  for  suddenly  he  stopped 
and  seized  George's  arm.    "  Will  you  bet  that  he  will 


-■""--'-  '■""- 


106  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

get  her  after  all  ?  That  would  certainly  be  an  uncom- 
mon piece  of  luck." 

George  looked  at  the  other  in  surprise.  "  I  don't 
understand  you ;  of  whom  are  you  speaking  ?  " 

"  Oh,  come  to  think  of  it,  you  don't  know  Gastrow 
of  the  Hussars  very  well.  Donnerwetter,  he  paid 
court  to-night  to  Fraulein  von  Eeisinger  again.  She 
is  no  longer  young.  She  never  was  good-looking. 
The  family  is  of  the  oldest  Jewish  nobility.  The 
mother,  I  believe,  is  a  bom  Moses.  That  doesn't 
matter  in  the  least ;  she  has  got  money,  a  horrible  lot 
of  money.  If  Gastrow  really  catches  her,  he's  in 
fine  trim ;  he  needs  it  badly,  for  he  is  said  to  be  broke. 
He  owes  two  hundred  thousand  at  least."  George 
had  listened  without  much  interest.  Now  he  asked : 

"Isn't  it  shocking  that  we  lieutenants^present 
company  excepted — always  let  reason  speak  when 
selecting  a  wife?  We  live  merry  lives,  we  squander 
our  money  and  our  health,  and  when  we  reach  the 
end  of  our  rope,  we  look  around  at  balls  for  some 
rich  young  girl  to  set  us  afloat  again.  The  more 
money  she  has,  the  more  we  are  after  her.  How  few 
marry  to-day  with  only  the  fortune  required  by  the 
regulations." 

"  That's  sheer  nonsense ;  who  can  live  on  the  few 
poor  pennies  ?  " 

"  Agreed,  although  many  achieve  the  task.  Look- 
ing at  it  from  a  psychological  point  of  view,  is  it  not 
an  interesting  fact  that  a  lieutenant  almost  invariably 
falls  in  love  with  a  young  girl  who  is  rich  and  like- 
wise very  ugly?  Yet  nobody  will  admit  having  mar- 


i^ttfirtto*' ' 


i     •      •     i-      - '-Miirlf'fiitfi'gliMril 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


107 


ried  solely  for  money.  It  is  insulting  and  dishon- 
orable even  to  think  of  such  a  thing.  On  the  con- 
trary, each  fancies  himself  to  be  actually  in  love 
with  his  wife  in  spite  of  her  ugliness  and  her  bad 
qualities.  If  she  had  no  money,  naturally  he  wouldn't 
even  look  at  her.  Speaking  candidly,  I  can't  under- 
stand rich  parents  marrying  their  child  to  an  officer. 
Those  people  must  realize  full  well  that  their  daugh- 
ter is  married  for  her  money  only.  Still  less  do  I 
understand  the  young  ladies  themselves.  How  can 
they  be  foolish  pnough  to  imagine  that  they  were 
married  for  love  ?  " 

"  With  your  permission,"  the  other  spoke  up,  "  you 
advance  queer  views.  According  to  your  opinion, 
young  ladies  possessed  of  wealth  shouldn't  marry  at 
all." 

"  Pardon,  I  did  not  say  that.  They  should  marry 
whom  they  please,  but  no  lieutenant,  because  in  nine 
hundred  and  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a  thousand  he 
wouldn't  think  of  marriage  until  he  is  in  debt  up  to 
his  neck." 

"  It  is  easy  for  you  to  talk  so,"  the  other  replied. 
"It  is  easy  for  a  born  millionaire  to  condemn  the 
doings  of  a  poor  devil.  What  you  say  is  beautiful  and 
noble  in  theory,  but  how  about  the  practice  ?  If  ever 
I  marry  I  would  rather  ride  in  my  own  carriage  than 
in  the  electric  car.  Well,  here  our  ways  part.  You 
go  to  the  right,  I  to  the  left.  When  do  you  go  on 
duty  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  Not  during  the  forenoon. 


>f 


'■iMkiiMtM»iA'mtiiittk''^'C\rtmii\it'i'mtihtt 


inUtOtttm 


i|&g 


108  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

"You  are  fortunate,  I  have  instruction  at  seven 
o'clock.    Good-night." 

After  shaking  hands,  they  parted,  and  a  few  min- 
utes later  George  reached  his  quarters. 


MMliMirlt  tn  ■lllifcaliliitti  iimiilii>lii  '  lAir  '-    -  ■' — ■'—^'  -  --'-■^■- — ■  ■■■--•■-■  <^---^i--- /:^-Ai:^^.  .-j? —  ■  — 


^^y^'^iRT?- 


VI. 


It  had  all  come  to  pass  as  George  had  foreseen. 
The  friendly  words  spoken  by  His  Majesty  at  the 
embassy,  the  warm  recognition  given  to  his  father, 
had  not  contributed  to  improve  his  position  in  the 
regiment;  they  only  made  things  worse.  Hardly  a 
day  passed  when  George  was  not  discussed  during  his 
absence,  and  when  the  utterance  of  His  Majesty  was 
not  considered.  What  induced  the  King  so  to  dis- 
tinguish the  only  "  Buergerlicher  "  officer  in  the  regi- 
ment? Even  the  commander  had  to  content  himself 
with  a  handshake.  The  remaining  officers  of  the 
staff,  not  to  speak  of  the  rest,  hardly  received  a 
friendly  glance;  George  was  the  only  one  addressed. 
Was  that  accidental?  Was  it  really  only  the  report 
of  the  manufacturer  of  breeches'  buttons — as  they 
called  old  Winkler — ^that  induced  the  favor?  What 
could  such  a  manufacturer  report  to  the  Kitig  that 
the  latter  did  not  know?  True,  old  Winkler  yas 
said  to  be  unique  as  to  benevolent  institutions  for  his 
workers,  in  his  efforts  for  their  material  welfare,  in 
his  discovery  of  new  ways  and  means  to  ease  the  ex- 
istence of  his  employees.  Everybody  knew  how  deep 
was  His  Majesty's  interest  in  the  condition  of  the 
working  classes,  but  for  all  that  the  public  praise 
bestowed  upon  old  Winkler  seemed  a  little  too  artifi- 
cial, if  it  was  permitted  to  officers  and  loyal  subjects 


■>iilr'rtliiin  rii     i 


110  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

to  criticise  His  Majesty's  words  at  all.  Or  was  there 
another  purpose  at  the  bottom  of  His  Majesty's  re- 
marks? The  King  certainly  knew  how  the  regiment 
felt  about  George,  how  he  remained  a  stranger  among 
them  and  always  would.  Were  His  Majesty's  words 
a  hint  to  them,  "Don't  trouble  yourselves,  you  will 
not  get  rid  of  Winkler.  In  me  he  has  a  mighty  pro- 
tector." Did  he  wish  to  encourage  George  himself 
by  his  gracious  words  to  go  on  enduring,  not  to  lose 
heart,  though  he  had  not  succeeded  so  far  in  creating 
a  position  for  himself? 

Not  a  single  Yellow  Butterfly  had  ever  been  ordered 
to  attend  Court  except  on  occasion  of  a  great  festivity. 
Then  they  would  appear  in  a  body,  and  would  be 
proud  of  the  distinction.  Now  the  King  had  asked 
George  publicly  to  eat  with  him,  together  with  his 
father.  It  was  known  that  His  Majesty  sometimes 
arranged  such  little  informal  affairs,  where  a  lively 
exchange  of  ideas  took  place,  when  the  King  would 
astonish  all  by  his  surprising  knowledge,  when  he 
would  charm  everybody  by  his  great  personal  amiabil- 
ity. How  did  George  come  to  participate  in  one  of 
these  intimate  evenings?  As  the  son  of  his  father? 
Who  and  what  was  his  father  ?  A  "  Buergerlicher  " 
manufacturer  of  breeches'  buttons.  That  he  was, 
and  that  he  remained,  even  if  he  was  wiser  and  more 
important  than  all  the  sages  put  together.  They 
would  not  have  envied  the  royal  favor  shown  to 
George  to  any  other  comrade.  They  would  have  con- 
sidered it  as  a  mark  of  distinction  for  the  noble  caste 
to  which  they  belonged.    But  they  grudged  it  to 


:.--^-^  — .L — ..i  --'"■-   jjiii  1 '."iljii  iiirr    i    ii  ■■■iryitiiiiiii 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  111 

George  because  they  considered,  "If  the  'Buerger- 
licher^  class  is  so  noticed  and  protected,  what  then 
remains  for  the  nobility,  which  has  done  and  is  still 
doing,  and  will  do  in  the  future,  for  Germany,  more 
than  to  manufacture  breeches'  buttons  that  have  only 
the  merit  of  cheapness  and  durability  ?  " 

The  sentiment  prevailed  that  His  Majesty  meant  to 
say :  "  Do  what  you  like,  you  will  not  get  rid  of 
Winkler." 

So  far  they  had  only  taken  pains  to  ignore  Winkler. 
Now  they  watched  him,  and  while  George  remained 
always  calm  and  modest  towards  his  comrades,  they 
began  to  show  more  superciliousness  toward  him  than 
before.  More  than  ever  they  flaunted  their  nobility 
and  endeavored  to  show  him  what  an  insurmountable 
chasm  separated  them.  Without  saying  so,  they 
acted  with  a  common  purpose:  "We  will  frighten 
him  away;  some  day  he  must  realize  himself  that  he 
cannot  stay  with  us."  George  thoroughly  understood 
the  sentiment  toward  him.  Had  he  been  able  to  de- 
ceive himself  about  it,  his  eyes  would  have  been 
opened  by  one  thing.  Once  every  week  little  Willberg, 
with  a  contemptuous  manner,  offered  him  a  formal 
excuse  for  not  being  able  yet  to  pay  back  the  loan  of 
a  thousand  marks  made  to  him  in  such  a  friendly 
way. 

"  I  really  don't  need  the  money,"  George  would  re- 
ply. "  On  the  contrary,  my  modest  mode  of  life 
enables  me  to  lay  up  savings,  so  that  I  could  willingly 
help  you  out  with  another  amount.  There  is  no 
hurry  about  refunding." 


■:^,.i^^..,  .:^^,^   -^v.    ^:^^,.^^.^   ......v.   ■<...-; ^i:-^u^>-.-.T.. 


Tr 


in  FIBST'OLASS  MEN. 

George  noticed  that  little  Willberg  would  have  been 
only  too  glad  to  accept  the  assistance  thus  offered.  It 
was  an  open  secret  that  he  wouldn't  be  able  to  hold 
out  much  longer.  Nobody  could  quite  understand 
what  became  of  his  money.  He  gambled  no  more 
than  the  rest,  but  possibly  women  cost  him  a  good 
deal.  Almost  every  two  weeks  he  had  a  new  liai$on. 
If  a  pretty  young  girl  crossed  his  way  he  would 
not  rest  until  he  had  made  a  conquest  of  her,  con- 
sidering neither  trouble  nor  expense.  But  after  he 
had  been  with  her  three  times,  he  said,  she  had  no 
more  attraction  for  him,  and  he  would  sever  their 
brief  relations  with  almost  brutal  cruelty.  No  en- 
treaties and  no  tears  would  lead  him  back  to  the  one 
he  had  left.  He  would  not  remember  promises  made, 
and  no  power  on  earth  could  induce  him  to  render 
the  least  aid  to  a  former  favorite,  even  if  she  was  in 
the  greatest  distress  or  in  the  most  horrible  misery. 
He  was  the  most  outspoken  egotist  of  love  imaginable. 
More  than  one  comrade  in  the  regiment  thought  his 
conduct  not  quite  correct,  not  quite  gentlemanlike, 
but,  after  all,  his  affairs  only  concerned  so-called 
"  little  girls,"  who  had  to  put  up  with  the  treatment 
they  received.  It  was  their  own  fault  if  they  had 
anything  to  do  with  him. 

He  had  "no  luck  with  decent  women.  It  was  his 
greatest  chagrin  not  to  have  had  a  single  mistress 
whom  he  didn't  have  to  pay.  But  he  had  possessed 
all  of  the  purchasable  dames.  That  flattered  his 
vanity  somewhat,  if  for  no  other  reason  than  because 
in  the  eyes  of  the  yoimg  girls  of  society  it  gave  Mm 


-._j->^^L^  ^..  ■.■■■  ..■..     ...■^.  ..-: -..  ■■jL:^-_--  .c-    I  ■:  iiiafciiii'i'-iiimlrtn  VmriiianiMifiitiiiriiiiJlii'BililMli 


FIRST-CLASS  MENi  113 

a  particular  air  always  to  have  a  new  mistress.  He 
knew  that  his  reputation  made  him  interesting  to  the 
young  ladies.  He  knew  well  that,  in  spite  of  his 
reputation,  or  rather  because  of  it,  it  would  be  easy 
for  him  to  make  a  rich  match  when  he  wished.  The 
bride  who  succeeded  in  catching  him  would  be  envied 
and  thought  fortunate.  He  intended  to  marry,  but 
his  wife  must  have  money,  plenty  of  money,  for  he 
did  not  contemplate  changing  his  mode  of  life  as  a 
husband.  Then  h^  would  be  able  to  spend  for  women 
thousands  upon  thousands,  and  not  be  obliged,  as  he 
was  now,  to  count  with  miserable  hundred  marks,  if 
he  counted  at  all.  He  had  no  conception  of  money 
or  its  value.  If  he  had  succeeded  in  borrowing  a 
few  thousand  marks  of  a  relative,  he  could  not  rest 
until  he  spent  them.  He  was  always  in  debt,  and 
just  now  thi:ngs  were  very  bad  with  him.  He  com- 
plained continually  about  hard  times,  and  drank  more 
heavily  than  usual  in  order  to  drown  his  cares.  He 
borrowed  of  everybody  in  the  regiment,  and  George 
foresaw  that  it  would  not  be  long  before  he  would 
borrow  again  of  him  without  refunding  his  old  debt. 
That  moment  came  sooner  than  George  expected. 

One  day  he  left  the  Casino  to  go  to  his  quarters 
earlier  than  usual.  He  had  received  a  letter  from 
his  little  friend  Olga,  a  young  actress  of  the  Residenz- 
theater,  whom  he  had  known  for  some  time.  She 
wrote  she  was  going  to  join  him  at  supper.  At  first 
he  thought  of  sending  her  word  not  to  come,  because 
he  had  important  work  on  hand ;  but  finally  he  wired 
her :  "  Oome,  I  expect  you."    He  did  not  have  the 


■   ..  ■i.u.;j'j.>j.ia6. — ^.-—^i.---iri^g., ■■■>_>■  :^_-.„  ..-  ■■  ■.        iirfiai^Ai^r. 


r-y-'-"-.. ,    .     MNIJII|im».IHip».II||J 


114  FIRST-CLASS  MEN. 

heart  to  spoil  the  evening  for  her.  She  clung  to  him 
with  hearty  affection.  She  felt  at  ease  in  his  elegant 
and  comfortable  rooms.  She  said  she  knew  nothing 
pleasanter  than  to  admire  his  belongings  and  to  rum- 
mage ill  his  library.  They  sat  down  at  the  neatly-cov- 
ered table  in  the  little  dining-room,  facing  each  other. 
George  looked  at  her,  smiling,  as  she  enjoyed  the 
oysters  and  the  Pommery. 

"  You  may  laugh,"  she  said,  "  you  have  just  come 
from  dinner ;  but  I  haven't  eaten  anything  since  three 
o'clock  this  afternoon." 

"Eat,  my  child;  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  see  you 
enjoy  it.  The  more  you  eat,  the  more  it  pleases  me. 
If  you  are  through  with  these  oysters,  there  is  another 
dozen  on  ice  for  you,  and  afterward  there  will  be 
your  favorite  dish,  stujffed  artichokes." 

She  clapped  her  hands  joyously  like  a  child.  Then 
she  looked  at  him  gratefully  with  her  great  dark 
brown  eyes,  and  stroked  his  hand  tenderly:  "How 
kind  and  good  you  are." 

"  Olga !  "  He  was  almost  embarrassed  at  the  warm 
tone  of  her  voice.  He  tried  to  jest :  "  Don't  be  ridicu- 
lous, Olga.  If  all  my  goodness  toward  you  consists 
in  getting  my  housekeeper  to  cook  for  you  what  you 
like  to  eat,  it  doesn't  amount  to  much,"  and  after 
an  instant  he  added :  "  I  am  very  fond  of  you,  little 
Olga." 

She  looked  at  him  with  happy  eyes.  "Eeally?" 
And  when  he  nodded  to  her  and  drank  her  health, 
she  said:  "Do  you  know,  I  believe  it  of  you,  nay, 
what  is  more,  I  know  that  yoi;  Jove  me,  that  I  ftip 


pr 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  115 

more  to  you  than  merely  a  little  girl  that  comes  to  you 
in  the  evening  and  leaves  you  in  the  morning.  There- 
fore I  am  immensely  grateful  to  you;  you  can't  im- 
agine how  much/' 

Suddenly  she  jumped  up,  nestled  closely  to  him, 
kissing  him  passionately. 

"But,  Olga,  child,  your  oysters  are  getting  stale," 
he  admonished  her,  since  she  wouldn't  stop  her 
caresses.  Then  she  released  him,  laughing,  and  sat 
down  again. 

Olga  was  pretty  as  a  picture,  supple  and  of  medium 
height,  of  faultless  figure,  with  an  intelligent  face, 
wonderful  brown  eyes  and  a  ravishing  little  nose. 
Everything  about  her  was  pretty.  She  had  small, 
well-kept  hands  and  a  charming  foot.  Her  whole 
demeanor  was  as  sympathetic  as  her  exterior.  She 
might  not  be  what  you  would  call  intellectual,  but 
she  was  amusing  and  cheerful ;  one  could  talk  with  her 
for  hours  without  being  bored.  She  could  talk  enter- 
tainingly and  appreciated  a  good  joke.  She  would 
laugh  so  heartily  that  tears  came  to  her  eyes,  and 
when  she  laughed  her  pearl-white  teeth  showed  to 
advantage.  One  thing  especially  made  her  attractive 
to  George:  her  candor.  She  made  no  secret  of  the 
fact  that  she  had  had  other  friends  before  and  that 
she  might  have  others  later  on.  "  I  know,  George," 
she  said  once,  "the  hour  will  come  when  we  shall 
have  to  part.  Our  friendship  will  not  last  forever, 
and  it  may  be  good  that  it  shoujld  not.  When 
some  day  you  tell  me:  'Darling,  this  won't  do  any 
longer/  I  shall  go,  atid  you  may  be  sure  that,  even 


116  FIRST-CLASS  MEN. 

if  my  heart  is  erer  so  sad,  I  shall  not  make  a  scene  in 
your  presence,  but  I  shall  kiss  you  and  thank  you 
for  all  the  beautiful  hours  we  have  enjoyed  together." 

George  knew  she  meant  what  she  said,  and  would  act 
accordingly.  Olga  was  the  ideal  of  a  mistress,  always 
cheerful,  always  in  serene  mood,  never  crusty,  never 
demanding.  Once  only  had  she  expressed  a  wish. 
For  days  George  had  noticed  that  something  was  on 
her  mind.  Only  after  he  had  urged  her  long  did  she 
tell  him. 

"You  must  turn  out  the  light  first,  else  I  am 
ashamed  to  tell  you ;  you  must  not  look  at  me  while  I 
teU/' 

He  laughed  and  did  as  she  wished,  and  then  she 
owned :  "  I  should  like  a  little  gold  watch." 

When  he  kept  silence,  astonished  at  the  modesty 
of  her  request,  she  went  on :  *^  Please  don't  be  angry 
with  me ;  I  saw  a  wonderfully  pretty  watch  in  a  show 
window.  Its  price  was  marked  at  a  hundred  marks; 
if  that  seems  too  much  for  you,  a  cheaper  one  will 
do." 

When  he  had  granted  her  wish,  and  bought  for  her 
an  expensive  watch,  with  a  gold  chain,  she  sat  with 
him  the  whole  evening  without  showing  the  least  in- 
terest in  him,  but  playing  with  her  watch,  laughing 
and  crying  with  pleasure.  At  first  she  had  been  un- 
willing to  accept  anything  from  him.  They  had 
quarrelled  about  it.  She  only  permitted  him  to  make 
her  an  allowance  when  he  told  her,  with  firmness  and 
decision,  that  otherwise  their  relations  must  come  to 
an  end.    He  paid  for  her  rooms  and  for  everything 


...■■^  .-,.  ,.  ,  ^  .     ...■-..  .^^  ■■    .  ■  _  ,- ^ i      I  1*1      1      .■■|>..<ft  I  n    1    lOTi    -■---'    -'  -^     -.■■-■■    -  ..    ..^-L-.-^'v-lt. 


FIR8T-CLA8S  MEN  117 

she  needed  without  spoiling  her.  He  insisted  for  his 
own  sake  that  she  should  be  well  cared  for.  Without 
her  knowing  it,  he  had  started  a  savings  bank  book  for 
her,  paying  in  regularly  every  week  a  few  hundred 
marks  to  her  credit.  "  She  should  not  be  obliged  to 
throw  herself  into  the  arms  of  the  first  comer  when 
once  we  part,"  he  said  to  himself. 

He  had  gone  to  the  bank  and  made  a  deposit  for 
her  to-day,  and  on  the  way  back  he  had  bought  her  a 
pretty  brooch,  as  he  now  remembered. 

"  Olga,  I  forgot ;  see,  I  have  here  a  trifle  for  you." 

He  rose  and  fetched  the  little  box.  He  was  pleased 
at  the  happy  face  with  which  she  eyed  the  jewelry. 

"  George,  it  is  really  wrong  of  you  to  give  me 
such  presents,"  she  scolded. 

"  Oh,  never  mind,"  he  begged.  "  I  don't  give  you 
any  more  than  I  can  afford.  Like  all  my  presents, 
this  is  already  paid  for." 

She  thanked  him  again,  with  sincerity,  and  said: 
"  Do  you  know,  I  am  to  be  envied  for  having 
made  your  acquaintance?  Understand  me,"  she  cor- 
rected herself ;  "  you  know  well  enough  that  I  want 
nothing  of  you  and  ask  nothing  of  you.  I  did  it 
once  about  the  watch,  and  was  terribly  ashamed  of  it 
afterward.  If  I  had  surmised  you  would  spend  such 
a  horrible  amount  of  money  for  me  I  should  never 
have  spoken,  because  I  do  not  wish  you  to  think  for 
a  single  moment  that  I  am  nice  to  you  and  love  you 
because  you  are  rich." 

I  know  all  that  without  your  telling  me.    But 


« 


■~»a.i-:.rtv  i.-r.  .^.   _  ._^.  i 


118  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

you  were  going  to  tell  me  why  you  were  to  be  envied 
for  your  acquaintance  with  me." 

"  Because  you  are  such  a  decent  fellow,  because — 
how  can  I  express  it?  Each  of  my  chums  at  the 
theatre  has  a  friend  and  admirer.  But  what  sort  of 
people  are  they?  Men  about  town  in  the  worst 
sense  of  the  word,  living  riotously,  contracting  debt 
after  debt.  If  they  make  presents,  they  never  pay 
for  them.  All  they  give  they  get  on  credit,  and  it 
spoils  the  pleasure  for  the  recipient.  With  you  every- 
thing is  so  decent,  so  solid.  Your  life  is  exactly  like 
your  character;  one  feels  that  one  can  rely  upon 
you,  that  you  are  a  thoroughly  serious  and  trust- 
worthy man." 

George  felt  embarrassed.  "  Olga,  Olga,  declara- 
tions of  love  after  such  long  acquaintance !  " 

"  They  are  in  order,"  she  replied,  and  added,  a  lit- 
tle embarrassed :  "  It  is  exactly  three  months  to-day 
since  we  met  for  the  first  time." 

"  Do  you  regret  it  ?  " 

She  kissed  his  hand.  "You — you — I  am  so  aw- 
fully fond  of  you.  Why  should  I  regret  it  ?"  Growing 
serious  she  went  on:  "You  know  I  have  told  you 
before  how  a  scoundrel  of  a  lieutenant  invited  me  to 
supper,  made  me  drunk,  and  then  betrayed  me.  When 
I  found  myself  alone  in  the  cab  in  front  of  my  house 
without  knowing  how  I  came  there,  and  without  sus- 
pecting what  had  happened  to  me,  I  vowed  to  myself 
to  remain  a  good  girl  henceforth,  never  again  to 
have  anything  to  do  with  a  man.  For  a  whole  year 
I  remained  steadfast  to  my  vow  and  lived  on  my 


--'^^'-'■•-•■— • '-■  -^—  -'•■*-'      ■■  —  .-^.j.\  — .'^ 


—•-t-'"^  ■"- 


w 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  119 

seventy-five  marks  wages.  Then  there  came  one  man 
whom  I  liked,  and  who  was  very  kind  and  good  to 
me.  Oh,  it  is  so  hard  to  remain  respectable  at  a 
theatre.  We,  the  small  fry,  envy  the  stars,  who  are 
dressed  in  silk  and  velvet,  who  perhaps  have  no  more 
ability  than  we,  and  who  occupy  the  high  places 
only  because  they  have  a  rich  friend  who  pays  for 
their  gowns  and  uses  his  influence  with  the  manager 
to  get  the  girl  promoted  and  entrusted  with  prominent 
parts.  That's  the  way  it  comes  about.  The  others 
do  it,  too,  not  only  theatrical  people.  We  are  not 
really  the  worst.  The  others  who  do  it  in  secret  and 
pose  as  respectable  girls  are  surely  no  better.'* 

"  Olga,  empty  your  glass,  and  don't  be  downcast ; 
be  cheerful  and  merry." 

After  a  brief  struggle  with  herself  her  sunny  na- 
ture gained  the  upper  hand.  "You  are  right;  I 
can't  undo  what  has  happened.  The  lieutenant  was 
a  scoundrel  all  the  same.  I  told  you  before  that  he 
committed  suicide.    That's  the  best  he  could  do." 

"  Don't  be  so  hard  on  him,  Olga,"  observed  George. 

"  Please  don't  defend  him,"  she  burst  out  angrily. 
"  I  know  you  think  if  a  young  girl  accepts  a  lieuten- 
ant's invitation  to  supper  she  must  realize  beforehand 
what  she  has  to  expect.  But  I  was  young  and  in- 
experienced. I  can  still  show  you  the  letter  he  wrote 
to  me :  *  I  give  you  my  word  of  honor  as  an  officer 
and  gentleman  I  will  not  touch  you;  I  will  not  take 
any  liberties  you  won't  permit.  I  will  only  kiss  your 
eyes,  your  eyes  that  have  captivated  me.'  Instead  of 
keeping  his  word,  he  made  me  drunk,  so  I  could 


.  .  :;^A<;^  ^:.-.  --  -  •.  ^  -  ^<L  (ii  • 'j. .,  * j-  r  hitfih^A  tii  tfitiniiiMrtiifaiiiii  iiii'  iia  *ii  'ii «"  Tr '  1 1   i'" 


130  FIRST-GLASS  MEN 

offer  him  no  resistance.  After  all,"  she  went  on,  with 
bitterness,  "there  are  very  fine  birds  among  those 
officers." 

"  I  can't  understand  you  to-day,  Olga.  "Why  is  it 
that  you  speak  so  disparagingly  of  the  lieutenants? 
Am  I  not  one  of  them  ?  " 

"  Oh,  you,"  she  said,  tenderly,  "  in  a  sense  you 
don't  belong  to  them,  you  are  far  too  decent.  You 
are  a  man,  but  the  others  are  spercilious  monkeys, 
and  liars  and  deceivers  to  boot." 

"  Olga,  I  beg  of  you  in  all  seriousness  not  to  talk 
in  that  way.    I  can't  understand  what  possesses  you." 

She  shrank  before  the  angry  look  in  his  eyes. 
"  Don't  be  harsh  with  me,"  she  begged,  "  I  will  tell 
you  why  I  think  so  ill  of  the  officers  to-day.  You 
knowLillie?" 

George  thought  for  a  moment.  "Lillie?  Yes, 
your  soubrette,  certainly  I  know  her.  Didn't  the 
three  of  us  take  supper  together  one  evening?  How 
is  she?" 

"  How  is  she  ?  She  is  sick." 

Her  words  betrayed  so  much  bitterness  that  he 
looked  at  her  in  astonishment.  "  You  speak  in  a 
peculiar  way.  What  ails  her  ?  " 

Olga  was  embarrassed.  "  Oh,  I  can  tell  it  to  you," 
she  said  at  last.  "  You  know  the  Freiherr  von  Gas- 
trow  of  the  Hussars,  don't  you  ?  He  was  after  Lillie 
for  three  months,  threw  her  flowers,  made  her  pres- 
ents, wrote  her  letters,  in  short  did  everything  he 
could  to  make  conquest  of  her.  You  know,  also,  that 
Lillie  is  not  so  very  strict.    She  likes  to  enjoy  life. 


■  ..-.:.:  -■  -■«.■    ■;■  1  — -. 


.  .J.   -■,.  -.^t^  -  :^.^^.^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  121 

But  she  would  not  accept  the  Hussar  because  she 
had  been  cautioned  against  him.  She  had  been  in- 
formed he  was  diseased — ^you  understand  ?  " 

"  Certainly — and  then  ?  " 

"  lillie  told  the  Hussar  what  she  had  heard  about 
him,  and  said  that  was  the  reason  why  she  refused 
to  associate  with  him.  The  tioble  Freiherr  gave  her 
his  word  of  honor  it  was  all  a  calumny ;  he  had  been 
diseased  once,  like  any  other  lieutenant,  but  was  now 
well  and  healthy.  Thereupon  Lillie  consented  to 
associate  with  him.  What  was  the  upshot?  She  is 
ill;  he  has  infected  her.  The  worst  of  it  is,  the 
Hussar  knew  full  well  his  own  condition.  He  simply 
hed  in  the  most  contemptible  maimer  in  order  to  get 
LiUie.*' 

"Is  that  actually  true?" 

"  Certainly  it  is.  Gastrow  himself  admitted  it  to 
Lillie  when  she  threatened  him  with  a  lawsuit.  He 
gave  her  five  thousand  marks  that  she  might  go  to  a 
health  resort,  and  he  promised  her  another  five  thou- 
sand marks  next  year  in  case  she  should  then  be 
without  an  engagement.  For  the  present  she  cannot 
appear  ou  the  stage.  Lillie  did  not  know  at  first 
what  her  trouble  was.  She  had  no  idea  she  was  dis- 
eased, because  the  Hussar  had  pledged  his  word  of 
honor.  Now  she  is  in  such  a  condition  that  the 
other  members  of  the  company  refuse  to  play  in  the 
same  cast  with  her." 

George  listened  in  silence.  He  was  disgusted  at 
this  behavior  in  a  comrade  whom  he  had  only  re- 
cently met  at  an  entertainment  where  he  had  paid 


T 


122  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

such  furious  court  to  Fraulein  von  Eeisinger  that 
another  comrade  offered  a  wager  about  their  mar- 
riage. He  had  no  words  to  condemn  the  behavior  of 
the  Hussar  toward  the  actress.  He  was  still  more  in- 
dignant that  the  lieutenant  should  dare  to  seek  the 
hand  of  a  young  lady,  in  spite  of  his  condition.  Did 
he  really  intend  to  marry  her  ?  Was  he  unscrupulous 
enough  to  take  a  wife  in  order  to  free  himself  from 
his  debts?  Did  he  not  consider  the  awful  conse- 
quences he  would  call  down  upon  his  wife,  perhaps 
upon  his  children  ? 

"What  do  you  say,  George?  Do  you  take  the 
part  of  the  officers  now  ?  " 

"My  child,  heretofore  you  were  always  just,"  he 
remonstrated.  "  You  must  not  jump  to  hasty  con- 
clusions from  the  actions  of  an  individual  and  con- 
demn a  whole  class.  In  every  class  there  are  some 
who  do  not  act  as  they  ought." 

"  True  enough,"  she  assented,  "  but  since  we  are 
talking  about  this  horrid  matter,  let  me  ask  how  it  is 
that  almost  all  of  us  who  are  diseased  owe  our  ailment 
to  association  with  officers?  We  don't  hear  or  know 
much  about  our  ballet  girls,  but  we  do  hear  that 
there  are  cases  of  disease  among  them,  and  in  almost 
every  case  some  lieutenant  is  the  cause  of  it."  After 
a  short  pause,  she  added,  blushing  scarlet :  "  Do  you 
know,  at  that  time — I  mean  the  first  time — I  became 
ill  myself?" 

George's  fist  struck  the  table  with  a  resounding 
blow.  "  That  is  not  true.  He  could  not  have  been 
as  contemptible  as  that." 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  123 

"  But  he  was !  It  cannot  have  been  so  very  bad,  for 
after  three  months  I  regained  my  full  health  and 
nothing  remained  of  my  disease.  So  I  was  told  by 
many  physicians.  I  did  not  rest  contented  with  the 
assurance  of  one  only." 

George  buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  "  That  men 
should  not  be  ashamed  to  act  so  dishonorably,"  he 
groaned.  "  Such — "  he  tried  in  vain  to  find  a  word 
strong  enough  to  characterize  the  other's  action. 

Olga  drew  near  and  caressed  him.  "Don't  be 
angry,"  she  begged,  "  I  ought  not  to  have  told  you. 
I  have  always  kept  silence  about  it,  but  somehow  to- 
day, talking  about  these  things,  it  escaped  me.  Don't 
be  angry  with  me." 

He  kissed  her  tenderly  on  the  forehead.  "  Why 
should  I  be  angry  with  you?  Come,  let  us  forget 
these  unpleasant  stories.  We  can't  change  the  world. 
We  have  not  met  to  have  our  evening  spoiled  by  the 
faults  of  other  people." 

She  succeeded  in  smoothing  out  the  angry  lines 
on  his  forehead,  and  they  sat  talking  till  the  coffee 
and  cigars  were  served. 

"  Shall  we  stay  here  or  go  to  the  sitting-room  ?"  he 
asked. 

"  Let's  go,"  she  begged.  She  was  fond  of  the  large, 
beautiful  room,  with  its  superb  carpets,  heavy  por- 
tieres and  wonderful  pictures.  Most  of  all  she  liked 
the  large,  comfortable  leather  arm-chairs  in  front  of 
the  chimney.  Every  time  she  visited  George  she  in- 
tended to  ask  him  to  let  her  sit  in  one  of  those  chairs 
after  supper.     Somehow  she  had  always  stopped  at 


...-^.  ,.;^..^,..-— .K,..^  ^.-^^^.i.;'..:.^. — ,^^£^.,,....^.,..1..,.^,^.^..^-.^^-,..:.^^.^-  _..-  I    -    ■  ■  viiygiiiiMlBiaiM 


134  FIRST-CLASS  MEN, 

the  intention.  To-day  they  had  hardly  entered  the 
sitting-room  when  he  led  her  to  the  large  chaise- 
longue,  pushed  a  cushion  under  her  head,  and  covered 
her  up  with  a  large  polar-bear  skin.  That  was  his 
habit  with  her.  He  treated  her  with  so  much  love 
and  tender  regard  that  she  did  not  have  the  courage 
in  the  face  of  so  much  kindness  to  tell  him  how  im- 
comfortable  she  found  that  position. 

"  Are  you  comfortable,  darling  ?  " 

Even  now  she  lied  for  his  sake.  "  Simply  heav- 
enly.'' 

He  kissed  her  tenderly,  then  lighted  a  cigarette  for 
her,  took  a  cigar  himself,  and  sat  down  on  a  chair 
by  her  side. 

"How  charming  your  quarters  are,  George;  you 
have  no  idea  how  happy  I  feel  with  you." 

"  Only  in  my  quarters,  or  with  me  personally  ?  " 

"  Only  in  your  quarters,"  she  teased  him ;  "  why 
should  I  be  pleased  with  you  ?  You  are  an  old  bear, 
who  does  not  deserve  that  I  should  spoil  him  and  be 
80  nice  to  him.  Oh,  you  dear,  stupid  fellow,  come 
and  give  me  a  kiss.  Now  be  good  again,  and  sit 
down  like  a  good  boy  in  your  chair  and  tell  me  what 
you  have  been  doing  during  the  last  few  days.  What 
society  affairs  did  you  attend,  with  whom  did  you 
dance,  to  whom  did  you  pay  court  ?  " 

George  told  her  at  length.  She  showed  a  genuine 
interest  in  everything  concerning  him.  He  knew 
he  could  trust  her  absolutely;  he  knew  that  in  the 
future,  when  their  intercourse  should  have  come  to 
an  end,  she  would  never  make  use  of  what  he  told 


■  ■•'••-■  -        .    — .  •. -•■iV.l^fc.J.lH.  . 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  12$ 

her  now.  So  he  had  no  secrete  from  her.  He  told 
her  about  the  regiment,  about  his  parents  and  his 
sister,  but,  strangely  enough,  not  a  word  about  Hilde- 
garde.  He  had  never  mentioned  that  name  before 
her,  and  kept  silent  about  it  to-day.  Not  that  he 
was  afraid  Olga  might  in  a  way  be  jealous.  She  was 
far  too  sensible  and  too  intelligent.  More  than  once 
she  had  told  him  how  she  wished  him  a  lovely  bride. 
A  sensation  he  could  not  explain  to  himself  prevented 
him  from  talking  to  her  about  Hildegarde. 

(Wga  listened  attentively.  Many  of  the  grand 
people  whose  names  were  mentioned  she  knew  from 
his  former  explanations.  By  the  questions  she  inter- 
posed, it  became  plain  that  she  listened  wiiii  real 
interest.  Naturally  she  was  most  concerned  to  hear 
details  about  the  gowns  worn  by  the  ladies.  This 
question  he  was  always  unable  to  answer. 

"How  can  you  be  so  silly  as  not  to  remember 
that?  **  she  scolded.  "  The  most  interesting  thing  in 
a  woman  is  what  she  wears." 

*'  Or  what  she  doe^*t  wear,"  he  teased.  •"  For  in- 
stance, in  your^case,  I  don't  care  so  much  for  your 
long  and  horrible  dresses  as  I  do  for  your  beautiful 
neck,  for  your  pretty  little  feet,  and  so  forth." 

She  gave  him  a  love-tap,  "  Will  you  be  good !  It 
is  not  half-past  nine  yet,  and  you  know  well  you  must 
always  behave  until  ten  o'clock" 

'^Alas,  alas,"  he  murmured. 

'*'  Yon  know  he  who  endures  will  be  rewarded." 

She  looked  at  him  warmly,  and  he  tried  to  fold 
her  tenderly  in  Ms  arms.    She  repulsed  him  gently. 


—'-—"^■^''— ■*■-''-" 


126  FIB8T'CLA88  MEN 

"Please — not  now — Plater  on — ^let  us  talk  together 
for  a  while  yet." 

She  gave  him  detailed  instructions  about  the  mate- 
rial, the  cut,  and  the  finishings  of  women's  gowns, 
so  that  he  might  be  able  to  give  her  more  correct  in- 
formation about  the  dresses  of  society  girls  in  the  fu- 
ture. The  lesson,  as  she  called  it,  was  brought  to  a 
close  by  the  entrance  of  a  servant. 

"  A  letter  has  just  arrived  for  the  Lieutenant." 

"  Answer  required  ?" 

"  The  orderly  didn't  say ;  he  has  gone  away." 

"  All  right." 

The  servant  left,  and  George  held  the  letter  for 
a  while  in  his  right  hand  without  opening  it. 

"  From  whom  is  it  ?  "  Olga  inquired. 

"I  have  no  idea,  but  I  have  a  vague  notion  this 
letter  contains  nothing  agreeable  for  me." 

"  Do  you  want  me  to  read  it  for  you  ?  If  I  think 
the  contents  would  vex  you,  I  could  tear  up  the 
sheet  and  never  tell  you  what  it  contained." 

He  kissed  her  hand.  "  You  are  a  dear,  good  child, 
but  that  won't  do.    Now,  let  us  see." 

He  opened  the  envelope  with  a  paper-knife,  spread 
out  the  sheet  and  looked  at  the  signature.  A  faint, 
triumphant  smile  played  around  his  mouth.  "  Oh,  I 
see,  Willberg — after  all." 

Olga  had  raised  herself  a  little,  and,  resting  her 
head  upon  her  right  hand,  she  now  looked  at  him 
eagerly.  "Willberg!  what  does  he  want  with  you? 
Didn't  you  tell  me  of  his  queer  behavior  toward  you? 
How  does  he  happen  to  write  to  you  now  ? 


» 


aJfefiMUdk^^OMAa 


■  ■■^..  ■   ^,.i— .  —.,:,■.■■  ^^.:.»:t^jjiui«,;»idiiaui 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  127 

Instead  of  an  answer  he  handed  her  the  letter. 
Olga  read: 

"  Very  Esteemed  Comrade : 

"  Though  I  am  still  deep  in  your  debt,  and  though 
to-day  I  am  less  able  than  I  was  a  few  weeks  ago  to 
fix  the  date  for  the  refunding  of  the  amount  I  owe 
you,  I  feel  myself  constrained  to  beg  again  for  help, 
and  for  quick  and  immediate  help  at  that.  We  gambled 
horribly  this  afternoon.  I  am  in  for  it  with  five 
milles,  four  with  the  Uhlan,  with  whom  I  tried  to  get 
even  for  the  last  encounter.  This  four  mille  must  be 
paid  by  noon  to-morrow,  or  else  I  am  done  for.  I 
do  not  know  where  to  get  the  money.  You  are  my 
only  salvation.  You  have  offered  me  your  assistance 
so  often  that  I  am  sure  you  will  not  leave  me  in  the 
lurch  now.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  my  orderly 
cannot  wait  for  an  answer.  He  has  to  go  to  my  little 
girl  to  tell  her  she  need  not  expect  me  to-day,  for,  the 
Lord  knows,  I  am  not  in  the  mood  for  amorous  ad- 
ventures. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  have  the  goodness  to  send  me 
the  ducats  this  very  evening,  either  through  your  ser- 
vant Fritz,  or  through  your  orderly,  or  through  some 
other  male  creature.  I  shall  stay  at  home  waiting 
for  your  decision,  and  thank  you  cordially  in  advance 
that  you  will  help  me  out  this  time. 

"  With  best  regards,  I  remain,  as  always, 

"  Your  devoted 
"  Freiherr  von  Willberg." 

Olga  folded  the  sheet  and  handed  it  back. 


.JiaiaaifHttiiMI^.'      .  ■■-  :v^.i-.i'c.:».-/ 


"Txnr. 


128  FIRST'CLABS  MEN. 


**What  do  you  say  to  it?" 

"I  find  the  letter  classic/'  she  said,  "brief,  blunt 
and  childishly  naive:  *I  have  gambled,  please  pay 
my  debts/  The  man  writes  with  nonchalance,  as  if 
he  were  inquiring  whether  you  would  drink  a  glass  of 
beer  with  him.    Willberg  is  simply  heavenly." 

"You  ar€  not  so  wrong  about  it,"  said  George, 
whom  the  tone  of  the  letter  offended  somewhat. 
Such  a  young  lieutenant,  who  can't  call  anything 
in  the  world  his  own,  except  an  allowance  of  a  few 
hundred  marks,  sits  down  to  the  gaming  table  and 
gambles  away  one  one-thousand-mark  note  after  the 
other,  with  complete  trust  in  the  Lord  as  to  the 
payment  of  it.  When  the  ready  money  is  gone,  and 
he  is  in  for  it,  he  sits  down  composedly  and  writes 
to  his  good  friends  and  acquaintances :  '  Please  pay 
my  debts.'  When  he  knows  that  they  cannot  come 
to  his  assistance,  because  he  has  already  exhausted 
their  resources,  he  applies  to  some  rich  man  whom 
he  has  met  perhaps  once  or  twice  in  his  life,  and  bor- 
rows of  him  with  an  ingenuity  and  an  impertinence 
which  are  astonishing.  He  knows  well  enough  he 
will  get  the  motiey  somewhere.  If  things  do  not  go 
as  smoothly  as  he  expected,  he  becomes  dramatic, 
talks  of  retiring  from  the  army,  of  taking  off  the 
King's  coat,  of  courts  of  honor,  bullet  through  the 
head  and  such  things.  Few  remain  cold  and  with- 
out feeling  in  the  face  of  such  talk.  There  is  a  young, 
blooming  life  to  be  saved,  a  life  that  in  most  cases 
is  not  worth  the  powder  and  ball.  So  they  go  down 
into  their  pockets  and  give  to  the  lieutenant  what  he 


F1B8T-CLA8S  MEN  129 

needs  to  be  restored  to  his  position  as  a  man  of  honor. 
I  don't  know,  Olga,  whether  you  understand  me,  but 
I  tell  you  it  is  the  greatest  misfortune  for  our  lieu- 
tenants— I  do  not  say  for  our  officers,  but  for  our 
lieutenants — that  they  enjoy  such  large  credit  on  ac- 
count of  their  uniform  and  their  position.  Many 
rich  people,  half-cultivated  or  not  cultivated  at  all, 
who  wish  to  associate  with  officers  so  that  they  may 
consider  themselves  as  belonging  to  the  best  society, 
actually  force  their  help  upon  the  lieutenants  who  fre- 
quent their  houses,  and  make  them  feel  that  they 
can  rely  upon  such  assistance  in  any  emergency.  The 
lieutenant  makes  a  note  of  that.  He  knows :  I  con- 
tract the  debts,  somebody  else  pays  them.  Our  lieu- 
tenant, as  he  is  to-day,  will  not  change  for  the  better 
until  his  credit  is  effectually  curtailed.  He  will 
change  only  when  the  world  is  no  longer  foolish 
enough  to  let  every  lieutenant  borrow  as  he  pleases." 

"  And  when  do  you  think  such  a  day  will  come  ?  " 

"  At  the  same  hour  when  the  world  ceases  to  see 
a  supernatural  being  in  every  man  wearing  a  uni- 
form." 

"  That  means  never." 

*'  I  almost  believe  you  are  right,"  he  assented,  and, 
growing  more  serious,  he  went  on :  "Do  you  know,  I 
am  sorry  for  our  lieutenants  ?  Actually,  there  is  much 
good,  sound  material  among  them,  but  they  are  made 
half-crazy  by  artificial  methods.  Officers  are  prohib- 
ited from  contracting  debts,  as  well  as  from  gambling, 
but  nobody  cares  about  these  regulations.  The  pro- 
hibitory orders  are  well  known.     Yet  no  civilian 


^*''*>^-^----'-- 


130  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

would  ever  say  in  a  club :  '  Herr  Lieutenant,  I  do  not 
wish,  to  insult  you,  but  I  know  His  Majesty  has  for- 
bidden his  officers  all  gambling;'  much  less  would  a 
merchant  say  to  a  lieutenant :  '  I  cannot  give  you 
goods  on  credit ;  I  know  you  are  forbidden  to  contract 
debts/  The  lieutenant  alone  is  not  to  blame.  The  so- 
ciety and  business  world,  which  not  only  makes  it 
possible,  but  even  tempts  him  to  break  the  rules,  is 
responsible  in  the  last  analysis  for  the  fact  that  our 
gfficers  are  no  longer  morally  and  ethically  what  they 
were  once  and  what  they  ought  to  be  still." 

Half-serious,  half -laughing,  he  ended :  "  Did  you 
understand  all  that,  you  little,  silly  human  creature  ?" 
"Everything.  You  are  altogether  right  about  it.'' 
"  I  only  wish  other  people  would  see  it  in  that 
way,"  he  said,  somewhat  amused ;  "  I  think  if  one  of 
the  Yellow  Butterflies  could  have  overheard  my  re- 
marks, he  would  think  I  was  crazy.  He  would  have 
me  up  before  a  court  of  honor  for  my  rebellious 
speeches,  and  I  would  be  asked  the  question :  *  If 
that's  what  you  think,  why  did  you  become  an  officer 
yourself  ? '  I  might  be  able  to  reply :  *  The  man  that 
takes  up  a  new  calling  does  not  know  it  and  cannot 
know  it  thoroughly.  Only  in  the  course  of  years  did 
I  come  to  realize  what  it  means  to  be  an  officer.'  I 
have  my  apprenticeship  behind  me,  I  have  gone 
through  the  world  with  open  eyes  and  open  heart, 
and  I  must  say,  if  I  had  known  earlier  how  things  are 
in  our  corps  of  officers,  had  an  inkling  come  to  me 
earlier  of  the  thoughtlessness,  the  habit  of  debt-con- 
tracting, the  dissatisfaction  in  matters  of  the  service. 


L,.» 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  131 

the  hatred  of  superiors,  of  the  distress  for  money 
and  of  all  the  bitterness  and  misery,  I  should  have 
thought  twice  before  donning  the  King's  coat." 

"  If  that's  so,  why  do  you  stay  in  it  ?" 

George  gazed  for  a  while  at  the  smoke  from  his 
cigar ;  then  he  asked :  "  Child,  do  I  really  not  bore 
you  by  all  this  serious  talk  ?  " 

"Not  at  all,"  she  retorted,  with  animation,  "I 
could  lie  here  for  hours  listening  to  you." 

"That  being  the  case,  I  will  let  you  have  my 
answer  to  the  question  over  which  I  have  pondered 
a  good  deal,  more  than  anyone  would  believe.  The 
answer  in  my  case  why  I  don't  take  off  the  King's 
uniform  is  brief  and  to  the  point :  from  spite ! " 

"  From  spite  ?  "  she  asked  in  astonishment. 

"  Certainly.  Don't  you  know  how  things  go  in  my 
regiment  ?  I  have  never  made  a  secret  of  it  to  you.  If 
I  venture  to  take  off  the  uniform  now,  then  the  Yellow 
Butterflies  would  have  achieved  what  they  strove  for 
from  the  first  day.  They  would  have  pushed  me  out, 
they  would  again  be  '  among  themselves.'  The  noble 
company  would  again  be  undefiled.  I  begrudge  them 
such  a  triumph,  because  it  would  mean  a  great  de- 
feat for  me.  I  am  not  seeking  advance  at  any  price, 
but  I  have  my  own  ambition,  my  own  sense  of  honor, 
and  I  am  determined  to  see  it  through  in  trying  to 
create  a  position  for  myself  among  them.  Often 
have  I  yearned  for  a  chance,  for  an  opportunity,  to 
distinguish  myself  in  some  way,  to  do  something  ex- 
traordinary ;  but  it  was  in  vain.  So  I  must  endeavor 
to  create  a  position  for  myself  by  conscientious  per- 


iiv'iiiiif '-'iiriiiiir-i  r—''^  *-'-'— ^-  -       '-■'■    -..-^^•i^^^.t-L. 


m.  '  r     ■■■■•■.<-':f 


132  .       FIB8T-CLA88  MEN 

formance  of  duty,  by  industry  and  reliability.  To 
you  I  can  own  it.  Do  you  believe  I  like  the  kind  of 
life  I  am  leading  here?  I  am  young,  I  am  rich,  I 
have  no  talent  to  be  a  spendthrift,  still  I  should  like  to 
enjoy  my  youth  more  than  I  do.  I  should  like  to  live 
better,  to  have  carriages  and  horses,  a  large  retinue  of 
servants,  to  make  fine  journeys,  and  things  like  that. 
I  must  not  do  it.  If  the  aide-de-camp  of  our  regi- 
ment, Count  Wettborn,  did  it,  all  the  regiment  would 
be  proud  of  their  count,  who  understood  how  to  rep- 
resent them  brilliantly.  They  would  show  the  world 
their  pride  that  he  had  the  means  to  live  according 
to  his  station.  To  the  nobility  it  would  not  be 
grudged,  with  me  it  would  be  an  offence.  If  I  lived 
that  way,  there  would  be  one  word  only  to  cover  my 
case:  Snob.  A  snob  would  not  be  endured  long; 
there  is  no  place  for  him  in  a  regiment  where  the 
other  men  allegedly  get  along  with  modest  means, 
but  are,  in  fact,  head  over  heels  in  debt.  My  so-called 
snobbery  would  offer  a  welcome  cause  for  my  transfer. 
That  is  precisely  what  I  don't  want.  I  don't  believe 
myself  that  my  life  as  lieutenant  will  last,  but  if  I 
ever  do  go,  then  I  want  to  be  able  to  tell  myself  and 
the  world  the  reason  for  my  going.  I  want  to  stand 
there,  large  and  imposing,  while  the  others  should  be 
shamed,  if  they  are  capable  of  the  sensation  of 
shame." 

She  saw  the  wrinkles  on  his  brow,  and  could  not 
help  noticing  his  agitation.  "  George,"  she  begged, 
softly,  "  come  to  me,  let  me  kiss  you,  and  don't  get 
worked  up."  ■j^i-'i^'':. 


Jiammmidi 


■^r?'v*i'^^^  -  ■-  .--."-'■    --;w-iri._--'i.      ■„'.-■  *hV'--~  'W^ 


i 


FIRST-CLASS  MEM  rK.,-         133 

*^ Darling,  it  is  easy  for  you  to  say:  'Don't  get 
vexed ! '  This  day  seems  to  be  predestined  to  bring  to 
light  a  lot  of  things  heretofore  kept  dark,  so  I  may  as 
well  own  to  you  that  I  suffer  terribly  under  these  con- 
ditions, because  I  am  conscious  of  no  other  ill  than  my 
*  Buergerlicher  *  descent.  If  the  gentlemen  of  the 
nobility  were  free  from  wrong  a"nd  misdeeds ;  if  they 
were  above  reproach  both  in  the  service  and  out  of  it; 
if  our  noble  officers  were,  in  fact,  what  they  ought  to 
be:  the  incarnation  of  all  honor  and  knightliness ;  if 
they  were  possessed  not  only  of  nobility  of  birth,  but 
also  of  intellect  and  sentiment,  I  would  not  hesitate 
for  a  single  moment  to  own  openly  and  frankly :  '  I 
feel  that  I  am  not  welcome  among  you.  I  do  not  com- 
prehend your  exclusiveness  from  a  modern,  enlight- 
ened standpoint,  but  I  honor  it,  and  I  will  no  longer 
be  a  burden  to  you/  For  myself  I  can  only  judge  of 
what  I  have  seen,  and  I  must  say  that  those  noble 
officers  are  not  a  whit  better  regarding  their  mode  of 
life  and  their  pleasure  in  service  than  their  *  Buerger- 
licher'  comrades,  upon  whom  they  look  with  con- 
tempt. Ijook  how  the  nobility  is  favored!  What 
would  inevitably  break  a  '  Buergerlicher '  the  noble- 
man may  do  with  impunity.  The  sentiment  prevails 
that  the  outside  world,  more  or  less  permeated  with 
social  democratic  ideas,  must  not  be  treated  to  the 
spectacle  of  a  nobleman  on  trial.  The  mass  of  the 
people  must  not  be  able  to  say :  The  nobles  after  all 
are  only  human.  In  the  highest  quarters  nobility  is 
favored  in  an  unheard-of  manner^  not  because  of  its 
speciU  efficiency,  but  because  it  is  something  apart, 


■f.wifTT-ji'wi.^.,!     (I  i|«,i^[nn«^>'ni 


134  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

according  to  the  old  nursery  tale.  You  can  no  more 
struggle  against  that  than  you  can  against  stupidity. 
It  revolts  me  and  almost  turns  me  into  a  social  demo- 
crat in  spite  of  the  coat  on  my  back.  Don't  I  experi- 
ence in  my  own  case  how  the  '  Buergerlicher '  is  con- 
sidered more  and  more  as  a  being  whose  only  cause 
for  existence  consists  in  forming  the  dark  back- 
ground against  which  the  nobility  stands  out  in  daz- 
zling relief  ?  " 

"  But,  George ! "  Olga  exclaimed,  quite  frightened, 
"  I  don't  know  you  any  more ;  never  before  did  you 
speak  with  so  much  bitterness." 

"  I  am  not  embittered  even  now.  What  I  have  told 
you  is  not  the  inspiration  of  a  moment,  but  the  result 
of  much  thought,  of  ripe  and  keen  observation.  But 
let  us  leave  those  serious  matters.  I  only  want  to  send 
the  money  to  the  noble  Willberg.  After  that,  my 
darling,  I  belolig  entirely  to  you,  and  will  again 
learn  in  your  arms  that  life  is  beautiful,  in  spite  of 
everything." 

He  had  risen  and  started  to  go  to  his  desk,  when 
Olga  stopped  him.  "  Will  you  do  me  a  favor,  George  ? 
You  know  I  never  make  requests  of  you,  but  this 
time  I  am  going  to  ask  for  a  very,  very  great  favor. 
Will  you  grant  it?" 

"  If  I  can,  certainly.  Why  not,  when  I  am  so  fond 
of  you?"  ^ 

"I  love  you,  too,  and  because  of  it  I  ask  you  to 
pledge  me  your  word  that  you  will  fulfil  my  wish." 

"  Darling,  how  call  I  do  that  ?  A  word  of  honor 
should  not  be  pledged  lightly.    Even  vrithout  it,  you 


.»i^^--' 


FIBST-CLAS^  MEN  135 

know  very  well  that  I  do  for  you  whatever  I  can. 
What  is  it?" 

She  had  straightened  herself  from  her  reclining  po- 
sition, and  looked  at  him  beseechingly  with  her  large 
eyes.  She  was  pale  with  agitation  and  her  voice 
trembled,  as  she  said :  "  Do  me  the  favor  not  to  give 
the  money  to  Willberg." 

He  looked  at  her,  astonished.  "  Why  not  ?  I  have 
the  money  handy,  and  even  if  I  didn't,  I  should  have 
to  get  it.  I  have  offered  Willberg  my  he]p  time  and 
again,  now  I  must  help  him.  Aside  from  that,  it  is  a 
great  satisfaction  to  me,  and  you  ought  to  feel  the 
sensation  with  me,  that  he  has  to  turn  to  me  again  for 
assistance.  Why  should  you  wish  to  spoil  that  pleas- 
ure?" 

He  started  again  toward  his  desk,  and  she  again 
stopped  him.  "  George,  give  your  money  to  whom- 
soever you  like ;  do  with  it  as  you  please,  that  is  not 
my  business.  But  you  must  not  help  Willberg,  under- 
stand me,  you  must  not,  not  you" 

The  tone  of  her  words  was  so  grim,  betokened  so 
much  resolution,  that  he  drew  near  and  seized  her 
hand.  He  saw  how  she  trembled,  and  great  agitation 
took  hold  of  him.  "  Olga,  you  hide  something  from 
me ;  you  have  reasons  which  you  keep  from  me.  But 
I  must  know  all.  If  you  ask  me  not  to  help  Willberg, 
if  you  tell  me  that  I  must  help  him  under  no  circum- 
stances, then  you  must  also  tell  me  the  reason  why." 

She  looked  at  him  vrith  an  expression  of  infinite 
love.  "  Don't  ask  me,  don't  torment  me,  I  cannot  tell 
you." 


riiiiiiiati'a^tffMii'i'Tii    ^--^^  >./.■"_:  ^ij 


136  FIRST-GLASS  MEN 

"  If  I  insist  on  it,  if  I  must  insist  on  it  ?"  He  had 
grown  pale,  and  held  her  hand  with  an  iron  grip.  "  I 
must  know  it,  do  you  understand  ?  It  is  not  right  to 
utter  a  half -accusation ;  oHe  should  always  have  the 
courage  of  the  whole  truth.  I  have  always  considered 
you  a  decent,  honest,  true  girl.  Don't  let  me  lose  faith 
in  you  now." 

She  faced  him,  a  hot  conflict  raging  within  her; 
her  eyes  were  cast  to  the  ground,  her  whole  body 
trembled  and  vibrated,  betraying  her  agitation.  Now 
she  raised  her  eyes  and  looked  at  him  candidly.  "  Let 
it  be  so,  you  shall  know  all,  but  on  one  co'ndition 
only." 

"What  is  it?" 

"  That  you  give  me  your  word  of  honor  never  to 
mention  to  Willberg  a  syllable  of  what  I  am  going  to 
tell  you.    You  can  do  that." 

He  looked  at  her  inquiringly.  "  Can  I  do  it  hon- 
estly?" 

She  sustained  his  gaze.  "  You  can.  But  for  all 
that,  if  you  should  be  able  to  prove  to  me  the  impossi- 
bility of  keeping  your  word,  I  shall  release  you  after 
a  week,  no  sooner  and  no  later.  Until  then  you 
must  think  calmly  about  what  I  shall  tell  you."  After 
a  pause,  she  asked,  with  halting  voice :  "  Do  you  still 
insist  that  I  must  tell  you  all,  even  if  we  may  have 
to  part  in  consequence,  even  if  we  can  no  longer  re- 
main friends?" 

A  dark  misgiving  rose  within  him.  "You  have 
associated  with  Willberg?"  he  asked,  agitated.  But, 
calming  himself,  he  went  on :   "  How  could  I  blame 


-  — '  ' -    -  -  *-'  -■'■---^i-  ■■- —  - 


'.  .v^.L.-.>  ^  .^--^  ^;:- ^ -r^- -aiAi  '     liiiiiiytlfhuHMilM 


FIR8T-CL4.88  MEN  137 

you  for  that?  At  that  time  you  could  not  know  we 
should  ever  meet.  It  is  well  known  of  Willberg 
that  he  is  after  every  young  girl,  that  he  uses  every 
means  to  achieve  her  conquest." 

She  gnashed  her  teeth  in  rage.  "  I  know  it  only 
too  well.  I  have  always  told  you  that  the  scoundrel 
who  betrayed  me  had  since  taken  his  own  life.  That 
is  not  true.    He  lives,  and  his  name  is  Willberg." 

George  reeled  as  if  a  blow  had  struck  him.  He 
sprang  toward  Olga  and  seized  her  by  the  shoulders. 

"  Tell  me  it  is  not  true — it  cannot  be  true." 

She  freed  herself  from  his  hands.  "  Come,  George, 
be  sensible.    What  has  happened  cannot  be  undone." 

He  sank  into  a  chair  and  buried  his  face  in  his 
hands.    "  Such  a  dog ! " 

Springing  up  suddenly,  he  asked :  "  Tell  me  the 
truth  on  your  oath.  Do  you  still  associate  with  him, 
or  does  he  know  that  we  associate  together  ?  " 

"  I  am  faithful  to  you,"  she  answered,  calmly,  and 
he  heard  in  the  tone  of  her  voice  that  she  spoke  the 
truth.  "  Since  that  fatal  night  I  have  seen  Willberg 
but  once." 

"  And  when  was  that  ?  " 

"  On  the  way  when  I  was  with  you  for  the  first 
time.  It  was  then  I  received  a  letter  from  him  telling 
me  he  must  speak  to  me  in  my  own  interest.  At  first 
I  did  not  meali  to  reply ;  but  as  I  read  his  lines  over 
again,  I  became  convinced  they  concerned  a  serious 
matter.  So  I  named  an  hour  when  I  would  be  at 
home  for  him,  and  he  came." 

Well,  and  what  then?"  George  insisted,  when 


iC 


.,.-,—-.--;-.^.;.J;-..>u.:.^.ia..;^>^L-,a.-.-::.;...v  .    --I:  I  |"|,-i|-|  ,  imMllltttii 


138  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

she  kept  silent  for  a  moment.  "  What  did  the  honor- 
able gentleman  want  of  you  ?  " 

"  He  said  he  had  observed  both  of  us  on  the  previ- 
ous evening.  He  had  followed  us  on  the  sly ;  he  knew 
I  had  gone  with  you  to  your  quarters;  he  therefore 
concluded,  not  without  reason,  that  we  two  were  asso- 
ciating together.  I  had  no  reason  to  deny  my  acquaint- 
ance with  you ;  I  could  not  have  done  it  in  the  face  of 
the  facts  he  had  observed.  When  I  admitted  to  him 
openly  that  you  were  my  friend,  he  besought  me  never 
to  mention  his  name  in  your  presence.  I  should  not 
have  done  it  any  way.  I  had  resolved  within  myself 
to  keep  his  name  from  you;  yet  I  seemed  astonished, 
and  asked  him  what  prompted  his  request." 

"  And  what  was  his  answer  ?  " 

"  He  said  he  had  to  admit  openly  that  he  had  not 
acted  quite  correctly  toward  me  that  night." 

"  Not  quite  correctly  is  splendid !  "  George  laughed, 
in  derision. 

"  Finally  he  confessed  it  had  been  very  wrong  of 
him  to  have  made  me  his  helpless  victim,  but  that 
my  beauty  had  confused  his  senses,  robbed  him  of 
every  sense,  of  every  power  of  calm  thought.  He 
said  also  it  should  have  been  his  duty  to  care  for  me 
afterward,  but  he  was  ashamed  of  himself,  because 
at  that  time  he  was  diseased.  His  conscience  had 
smitten  him  so  in  regard  to  me,  he  did  not  dare  to 
face  me  again.  Aside  from  that,  he  had  been  then 
in  a  very  bad  condition  financially,  and  in  no  wise 
able  to  do  anything  for  me.  Therefore,  he  would 
offer  me  now  one  thousand  marks  as  an  indemnity  for 


lkiillttiillMi^M<MAM>Mi»a<Hiife^  '"   ' -'       ■  ..-^■-.■'. — ■  ..---. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  139 

the  wrong  done  to  me,  as  a  kind  of  hush-money  for 
the  future." 

"  And  did  you  take  the  money  ?  " 

"Before  his  eyes  I  threw  it  into  the  fire  and  en- 
joyed the  expression  of  his  stupified  face.  Then  he 
returned  to  the  object  of  his  call.  He  begged  of  me 
never  to  tell  you  anything  about  the  way  he  had  acted 
toward  me.  He  and  you  were  now  comrades  in  the 
regiment,  and  I  ought  not  to  cloud  the  friendship  ex- 
isting between  you.  You  might  not  find  his  de- 
meanor quite  correct,  it  might  come  to  an  explanation 
between  you.  Such  a  thing  was  always  disagreeable, 
particularly  in  such  a  swell  regiment,  which  was 
bound  to  preserve  its  position  toward  the  world  out- 
side. The  two  of  you  could  not  well  shoot  at  each 
other  for  my  sake.  In  short,  I  don't  remember  all  he 
said;  I  listened  without  replying.  The  longer  I 
kept  silent,  the  more  he  grew  small  and  meek,  until 
at  last  he  stood  before  me  like  a  guilty  rogue.  Finally 
he  went  down  on  his  knees,  asking  for  my  silence  and 
forgiveness.  Then  only  did  I  promise  him  never  to 
mention  his  name  to  you.  Now  I  have  done  it,  I  had 
to  do  it.  It  is  not  my  fault,  but  yours,  that  I  did.  I 
have  spoken  for  your  sake,  too,  because  I  did  not 
want  to  lose  you  on  his  account."  Of  a  sudden  she 
was  seized  by  anxiety  lest  he  might  now  loathe  and 
disown  her.  She  fell  on  her  knees  before  him. 
"George,  tell  me  that  you  still  love  me,  that  you 
won't  send  me  away — it  wasn't  my  fault." 

He  bent  over  her  and  kissed  her  forehead. 

"  Get  up,  my  darling ;  how  could  I  be  angry  with 


.JUMMiltti&AraMyUuitUHifiAiaUliiii^Uittilttliaiik. 


t ■"^■4»ji^'?r'«'»^ir^"»;; ,  i  *".i.'»*^.JPf  iw.^.^ijpji'pjpjihii 


140  FIRST-CLASS  MEN. 

you  ?  How  could  I  let  you  suffer  for  what  a  scoundrel 
did  to  you  ?  How  can  it  be  your  fault  that  the  name 
of  that  scoundrel  is  Willberg  ?  But  he,  he  shall  suffer 
for  what  he  has  done  to  you." 

"  He  shall  not,  George  1 ''  Olga  exclaimed.  "  You 
gave  me  your  word  "not  to  mention  anything  to  him, 
and  you  will  keep  that  pledge.  I  don't  believe  there 
is  any  occasion  why  I  should  release  you  from  it." 

He  had  sunk  into  a  chair  in  a  brown  study.  Was 
there  the  least  reason  why  he  should  proceed  against 
Willberg  in  any  way  ?  He  could  teU  him :  "  I  have 
become  acquainted  with  a  young  girl  and  know  now 
that  you  have  acted  toward  her  like  a  scamp."  Will- 
berg could  not  pocket  such  a  reproach  quietly,  there 
would  be  at  least  a  quarrel,  possibly  a  duel,  and  in 
connection  therewith  an  investigation  by  a  court  of 
honor.  There  would  be  a  great  stirring  up  of  mud. 
What  was  the  use  ?  Willberg  would  probably  be  dis- 
missed from  the  army.  What  then?  What  good 
would  that  do,  and  whom  would  it  benefit?  The 
army  would  be  less  one  gentleman  without  honor, 
certainly,  but  who  would  have  to  bear  the  conse- 
quences? George  alo"ne,  for  he  would  never  be  for- 
given because  he  had  proceeded  so  harshly  against  the 
regiment's  favorite.  After  his  dismissal,  Willberg 
would  still  have  friends  enough  to  stand  by  him.  He 
would  not  suffer  much  from  the  fact  that  he  no  longer 
wore  the  King's  coat.  No,  George  would  not  pro- 
ceed against  him.  There  was  not  the  right  occasion 
for  it,  he  admitted  to  himself.  To  him  personally 
Willberg  had  offered  no  offence,  no  insult.     If  he 


^^vffF^i/rT-^-^-'  ■_  ,     :     ... ■  ,-   ,       :-i  '        7    ■  ■:;  —:   -^  ;"v  X  - .-'^  : ■'*-iv5'A-r~"'   7tH^^^^ "--r* 


;  *  ^^^f'V^^f^}V^\ 


FIR8T-CLA88  MEN.  141 

posed  as  the  champioii  of  Olga's  honor,  everybody 
would  shake  their  heads,  the  council  of  honor  and  the 
commander  would  try  to  make  it  clear  to  him  that  one 
does  not  fight  duels  for  a  young  lady  like  Olga.  She 
might  be  a  very  excellent,  amiable  young  girl;  she 
might  be  a  talented  actress,  but  still — in  his  imagina- 
tion he  heard  it  all,  atid  clenched  his  fists  in  impotent 
rage.  There  was  something  else.  What  would  his 
parents,  what  would  Hildegarde  say,  if  they  learned 
he  had  fought  a  duel  for  his  mistress?  No,  they 
must  not  know  anything  about  Olga. 

For  fully  five  minutes  George  sat  in  deep  thought, 
and  Olga  hung  anxiously  on  his  features.  Her  repu- 
tation, her  position,  were  at  stake.  What  had  hap- 
pened between  her  and  Willberg  only  the  two  of  them 
and  George  knew.  She  had  never  told  anybody  else 
about  it,  never  mentioned  the  name  of  her  betrayer. 
If  George  believed  he  could  not  let  the  matter  rest 
there,  that  he  must  report  it  to  the  court  of  honor, 
then  she  was  obliged  to  release  him  from  his  pledge. 
The  whole  city  would  know  within  a  few  days  what 
had  been  a  secret  until  to-day.  Then  she  could  not 
stay  here  any  longer,  she  felt  that  she  could  never 
again  face  an  audience  that  knew  how  she  had  been 
treated  and  what  the  consequences  of  that  night  were 
for  her.     . 

"  Well,  George,"  she  asked  at  last,  "  have  you  made 
up  your  mind  as  to  what  you  are  going  to  do  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  he  replied,  with  a  firm  voice.  "  The 
scoundrel  deserves  I  should  slap  his  face.  But  I  shall 
not  do  it.     I  shall  remaiti  silent,  even  to  himself. 


ajitertfciiMtiMtfTiraiiif"'-*"-^--'^-   — '    -  ii  wriniTiBiaii'ifiBT'ii 


^f-^^^y  t^r-g  ■-<m'-'-'^^:^-:^rw^rTvr---^7«'j'  ■  ?m^,  '.r-T'?'*  >  i  ■«  t**  ' '  "'^_'--if  t  i^  v^w  ; 


142  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

though  that  comes  very  hard  on  me.  Yet  it  must  be 
so,  for  your  own  sake,  for  I  am  too  fond  of  you  to 
expose  you  to  public  gossip,  maybe  even  to  general 
contempt.  The  world  would  have  to  change  suddenly, 
tremendously,  if  it  were  not  going  to  condemn  you. 
As  I  said,  I  do  not  want  that.  So  it  is  settled."  She 
put  her  arms  around  his  neck  caressingly. 

"  I  thank  you,  George." 

He  led  her  back  to  the  chaiselongue  and  sat  down 
by  her  side.  "  Lord,  what  a  mess !  One  more  thing 
I  should  like  to  know.  Do  you  happen  to  know  the 
day,  I  mean  the  exact  date,  when  that — ^that — ^person 
came  to  you  to  beg  for  your  silence  ?  " 

"  Why  shouldn't  I  ?  "  she  tried  to  jest  in  order  to 
bring  back  his  serenity,  "  you  know  it  too,  for  I  told 
you  it  was  the  day  when  I  was  with  you  for  the  first 
time.    You  cannot  have  forgotten  the  date !  " 

He  passed  his  hand  across  his  forehead.  "Don't 
take  it  amiss,  Olga,  but  my  head  is  so  topsy-turvy 
just  now  I  cannot  remember  it." 

She  took  from  her  finger  a  diamond  ring  which  he 
had  given  her  in  memory  of  their  first  meeting.  The 
date  was  engraved  in  it.    She  handed  it  to  him. 

"Oh,  yes,  that's  right,"  he  said.  "How  could  I 
forget  it?"  Suddenly  he  sank  into  deep  thought 
until  at  last  he  started. 

"  What's  the  matter  now  ?  "  she  asked. 

"Nothing,  nothing,"  he  calmed  her;  "I  just  re- 
membered that  when  Willberg  came  to  me  the  first 
time  to  borrow  money  he  already  knew  that  we  asso- 
ciated together.   He  had  been  to  pay  you  that  call  and 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  143 

still  had  the  courage  to  come  to  me.  Now  I  under- 
stand it,  all  becomes  clear  to  me.  I  understand 
why  he  begged  so  for  discretion ;  why  I  had  to  pledge 
my  word  to  keep  silent  to  everybody.  He  was  afraid 
I  might  perhaps  tell  you  something  about  it,  and  then 
all  that  happened  between  the  two  of  you  might  come 
to  light.    Thaf  s  what  it  was !  " 

He  went  up  and  dow^  the  room  with  long  strides, 
occupied  with  his  own  thoughts. 

"  George,"  Olga  begged,  "  do  me  a  favor  and  write 
immediately  to  Willberg  that  you  cannot  give  him  the 
money.  Then  don't  think  any  more  about  the 
wretched  story ! " 

George  stopped.  "  You  are  right,  Willberg  is  wait- 
ing for  an  answer.  I  forgot,  I  have  to  preserve  the 
form  of  civility  even  if  I  find  it  hard  to  do  so." 

He  rapidly  wrote  a  few  lines  regretting  that  he  was 
unable  at  the  mometit  to  place  the  desired  thousands 
at  his  comrade's  disposal.  He  sent  the  note  through 
his  servant. 

"  Now  come  to  me,"  she  begged.  With  one  rapid 
motion,  she  loosened  the  heavy  jet-black  hair  which 
fell  like  a  mantle  upon  her  shoulders  and  down  to  her 
waist.  He  buried  his  face  in  it  and  breathed  the 
precious  aroma  which  always  intoxicated  him  anew. 
She  passed  her  hand  tenderly  over  his  hair. 

"You  are  kind  and  good,  Olga,  but  the  others, 
those " 

"  Don't  excite  yourself  anew,"  she  begged,  "  don't 
think  of  them." 

Pe  had  freed  himself,  and  now  straightened  up, 


144  FinST-CLASS  MEN 


tt 


Not  think  of  them,  who  could  do  that !  Something 
else  disquiets  me ;  who  knows  whether  I  shall  possess 
enough  energy  and  self-command  to  face  Willberg 
to-morrow,  and  to  act  as  if  I  knew  nothing  about  his 
villainies." 

"  Can't  you  keep  out  of  his  way  ?  As  far  as  I  know, 
he  belongs  to  atiother  company,  even  to  another  bat- 
talion." 

"  That's  so,  but  I  shall  have  to  see  him  in  the  reg- 
imental home,  and  even  if  I  should  not  go  there  to- 
morrow, I  should  have  to  see  him  the  day  following, 
because  we  cannot  stay  away  from  mess  for  more  than 
twenty-four  hours  without  satisfactory  excuse.  I  am 
afraid  my  blood  will  not  have  calmed  by  the  day  after 
to-morrow." 

Olga  considered  for  a  moment,  then  she  asked: 
"  Couldn't  you  go  on  furlough  ?  I  shall  find  it  hard 
not  to  see  you  for  two  weeks,  but  the  trip  would  do 
you  good;  you  would  amuse  yourself  and  distract 
your  mind.  I  suppose  it  would  be  easy  for  you  to  get 
off." 

"  Quite  correct,"  he  said.  "  At  present  there  is  not 
much  to  do,  and  the  furlough  could  not  be  denied 
me.  But  where  could  I  go?  To  my  parents?  I 
should  not  like  to  see  them.  I  could  not  be  gay  and 
serene.  They  would  notice  that  something  oppressed 
me,  and  so  my  coming  would  disturb  them  instead  of 
giving  them  pleasure." 

**  I  have  it ! "  Olga  exclaimed.  "  You  said  a  while 
ago  that  you  should  like  to  enjoy  life  for  once.  Go 
for  two  weeks  to  Paris,  to  Monte  Carlo,  or  some  other 


..^.'.-^^v-^—^  -  --'    -l--^--> 


FIR8T-CLA88  MEN.  146 

fine  place.  If  you  see  beautiful  women,  give  them 
my  regards  and 'tell  them  to  be  good  and  kind  to 
you,  that  I  was  not  jealous.''  She  added,  with  a 
roguish  smile :  "  For  you  won't  remain  faithful  to  me 
any  way." 

"  Yes,  I  will,"  he  said  with  a  firm  voice. 

"  Oh,  oh,"  she  laughed,  "  I  wouldn't  put  my  hand 
into  the  fire  on  that." 

"  But  I  would,  for  I  shall  have  no  occasion  to  be 
unfaithful  to  you." 

She  looked  at  him  in  surprise.  "  How  so,  for  what 
reasoti  ?  " 

"  For  the  simplest  reason  in  the  world.  You  will 
accompany  me." 

"  George !  "  Laughing  and  crying  for  joy,  she  hung 
on  his  neck.  "  You  are  going  to  take  me  along  ?  I 
shall  see  Paris,  or  some  other  beautiful  city  ?  You  are 
too  kind  and  good,"  and  she  kissed  him  again  and 
again.    All  of  a  sudden  she  grew  quiet. 

"  What  is  the  matter  now  ?  " 

"  I  cantiot  come  along  after  all." 

"But  why  not?" 

"For  one  thing,  you  must  not  conceive  the  idea 
that  I  persuaded  you  to  make  the  trip  in  order  to 
benefit  from  it  myself;  and  then  I  don't  know  whether 
I  can  get  leave." 

"  What  you  said  first  is  nonsense,"  he  said.  "  Per- 
haps I  don't  extend  a  favor  to  you  by  taking  you 
along,  but  you  will  give  me  a  great  pleasure  by  ac- 
companying me.  Nothing  is  more  horrible,  at  least 
to  me,  than  to  travel  alone  through  the  world,  to  sit 


.1.    .^-i-..^.^.— -^v  .   ..      - -^     •^.:^-- ^^Vif -V|  iirttaJMMiiayfciAdifllMiiii-r-    ■'■liHi'ni^Tf  lililMMfliri 


146  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

alone  in  a  compartment,  to  eat  my  meals  alone,  to 
hurry  alone  through  galleries  and  museums,  and  to 
have  nobody  to  talk  to.  And  as  for  your  leave,  you 
will  get  it,  you  are  not  so  busy  just  now." 

"But  yet — the  repertoire  may  be  changed  anv 
day." 

"My  dear  child,"  he  calmed  her,  "your  manager 
won't  be  an  ogre.  To-morrow  morning  you  ask  him 
for  leave,  and  if  he  interposes  difficulties,  you  tell 
him  you  are  ready  to  pay  him  two  or  three  thousand 
marks  as  indemnity  for  the  services  you  will  with- 
hold for  the  next  two  weeks.  You  will  find  on  that 
basis  he  will  give  you  leave  for  as  long  a  period  as 
you  desire." 

She  seized  his  hand  and  kissed  it  gratefully.  "  How 
kind  and  good  you  are.  You  are  willing  to  spend 
so  much  money  to  make  me  free  ?  Now  listen,  I  am 
going  to  offer  him  first  five  hundred  marks,  then  an- 
other five  hundred,  and  so  on;  but  more  than  two 
thousand  I  shall  not  give  him  any  way." 

He  laughed  in  amusement.  "You  may  arrange 
that  as  you  like.  I  shall  give  you  the  money,  and 
whatever  you  save  of  the  amount  belongs  to  you." 

She  clapped  her  hands  with  pleasure.  "I  shall 
buy  an  elegant  travelling  costume  with  it." 

"  You  may  leave  that,  darling,"  he  begged.  "  What 
dresses  you  need,  I  shall  buy  for  you  at  Paris.  Dur- 
ing all  the  years  I  have  been  lieutenant,  I  have  never 
spent  half  my  allowance,  but  invested  it  with  interest 
and  compound  interest.  Now  I  can  afford  to  spend  a 
pile  of  money  without  the  least  compunction." 


n\Ti'ti't£-    -  —       -    --^    -    -^',,1      n        I    >    .-    ..:;: .ri>    ■;.-■  .>i  ^jc--    .,^.- ...  ._       .  -^.L..  ,11  jf   tiih    iilliNntf-^'' ^' 


■L.  ...^^^ 


iT''- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  147 

"  Are  we  really  going  to  Paris  ?  "  she  asked,  her 
eyes  beaming  with  delight. 

"  If  there  is  no  hitch,  we  shall  go  to-morrow  even- 
ing. We  take  my  servant  along,  upon  whose  discre- 
tion I  can  rely.  You  take  the  train  at  the  north 
depot,  I  on  the  south  side.  I  shall  have  the  train 
investigated  as  to  whether  there  are  any  acquaint- 
ances. If  need  be,  I  shall  have  a  whole  compartment 
reserved  for  the  two  of  us.  Later  on,  if  anybody  sees 
us  together,  what  does  it  matter  ?  Who  knows  us  in 
Paris?" 

"  Have  you  been  there  before  ?  " 

"  Certainly." 

He  told  her  of  that  city  of  pleasure  and  beauty,  and 
she,  tenderly  nestling  to  his  side,  listened  to  his  de- 
scription of  the  splendor  she  was  going  to  enjoy  with 
him. 


-t-.,....  ■■..,■.-,.,:,  ■    .;~-..,  -i:,       l,rll..1  k •|ll«ll  r--^"--*^-' --— i^^-^—- --J-.— ^^-i ■  ■-  ----  ---■■■■■.  -—- ..i^t^a— .^.LMt 


VII. 


Hildegarde's  father  celebrated  his  sixtieth  birthday. 
The  old  major  had  expressed  the  wish  to  have  both 
his  children  with  him  on  that  day.  Fritz  used  this 
welcome  occasion  to  ask  theWarnows  for  ample  means 
to  defray  the  expense  of  the  trip.  It  would  not  do 
for  him  to  travel  except  first-class.  He  would  have 
to  take  his  orderly  along,  and  he  would  have  to  buy 
a  decent  present  for  the  old  man's  birthday.  Captain 
von  Warnow  felt  obliged  to  produce  another  thousand- 
mark  note.  The  first  thing  Fritz  did  with  the  means 
thus  at  his  disposal,  was  to  try  his  luck  at  the  gaming 
table,  with  the  fortunate  result  that  he  won  from  the 
proprietor  of  a  landed  estate  in  the  neighborhood  four 
thousand  marks  cash.  Such  a  stroke  of  luck  rarely 
came  his  way.  He  beamed  with  delight,  and  found 
life  a  little  more  bearable  than  before. 

Hildegarde  at  first  did  not  wish  to  go.  She  felt  of- 
fended by  her  father's  letter,  saying:  "  My  dear  child, 
I  should  be  immensely  pleased  to  have  you  with  me, 
but  my  personal  wishes  must  not  be  considered  when 
more  important  things  are  at  stake  for  you.  If  you 
can't  get  away  conveniently,  or  if  you  find  it  imprac- 
ticable to  leave  for  a  few  days,  I  advise  you  to  stay 
where  you  are  and  to  strike  while  the  iron  is  hot." 

She  did  not  wish  to  go,  because  she  could  foresee 
how  things  would  be  at  home;  but  her  aunt  finally 


Mlitai^HliMat^MJUHiMtfHuakarib^^aaiU^a^iaMliHi^ilM&tftadMiiiilHlB^ 


FIB8T-CLAS8  MEN/  149 

persuaded  her.  Winkler  was  on  furlough,  it  was  said 
he  had  gone  to  Monte  Carlo  and  the  Riviera.  He 
would  not  be  back  for  a  week,  great  festivities  were 
not  expected  in  the  near  future,  and  without  Winkler, 
it  would  be  no  use  for  her  to  attend  such  affairs.  It 
would  only  cause  useless  expense  for  her  toilette.  To 
throw  money  out  of  the  window  for  the  other  men 
who  had  no  intentions  in  regard  to  Hildegarde,  would 
not  pay.  Another  thing  induced  Frau  von  Warnow 
to  urge  Hildegarde  to  make  the  trip.  She  desired 
to  be  alone  again  with  her  husband,  to  have  a  week 
when  she  could  think  and  worry  about  other  matters 
than  Hildegarde's  engagement.  So  she  thanked 
heaven  for  the  coincidence  of  Winkler's  and  Hilde- 
garde's trip.  In  a  week  both  would  be  back,  and  it 
was  to  be  hoped  the  affair  would  then  come  to  a 
happy  termination.  She  felt  quite  assured  that  Wink- 
ler was  seriously  interested  in  Hildegarde,  When 
George  had  taken  leave  of  her  husband  he  had  asked 
him  particularly  to  convey  his  regards  to  Frau  von 
Warnow  and  the  Baroliess.  This  was  very  irregular, 
but  for  that  reason  Frau  von  Warnow  considered  it  a 
good  sign. 

Hildegarde  left  on  the  morning  train.  Her  parents 
received  her  at  the  station.  Fritz  was  expected  within 
an  hour.  They  all  stayed  at  the  station,  until  he 
should  arrive,  going  to  take  some  lunch,  because 
Hildegarde  was  tired  and  hungry  after  her  long  and 
tedious  trip. 

The  waiter  hurried  toward  them,  and  the  proprietor 
himself  appeared  to  inquire  for  the  orders  of  such 


lilBlhirtMliitittiiMiirttiiirfiii'm'''--'''^' ■"--'*-• -^-■-'  *•■■'-''  -■'-'uriii-iW'ir  rttiir  r  i'f  "' — -'■-  ' 


160  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

grand  people.  The  major  by  virtue  of  his  rank  and 
his  quality  as  baron,  belonged  to  the  prominent  people 
in  town.  In  this  place  he  was  the  only  real  baron. 
There  were  a  few  "  Yons,"  more  or  less  old.  So  he 
played  the  first  part,  though  everybody  was  exactly 
informed  as  to  his  financial  condition. 

He  was  a  type  of  the  pensioned  officer,  of  medium 
size,  vigorous,  with  a  red  face  and  a  mighty  mustache. 
His  wife  was  still  of  fine  appearance  and  showed 
traces  that  in  her  youth  she  had  been  a  celebrated 
beauty.  They  talked  about  petty  matters  until  the 
meal  was  served.  Hildegarde  saw  only  too  plainly  the 
impatience  of  her  parents  to  learn  something  about 
her  coming  engagement.  She  endeavored  to  avoid 
conversation  on  this  topic,  but  failed.  The  waiter 
had  hardly  served  them  and  received  orders  not  to 
come  again  unless  he  was  called,  when  both  pushed 
their  chairs  nearer  to  Hildegarde.  "  Now,  child,  tell 
us.    Relieve  our  minds ;  how  is  the  affair  ?  " 

Hildegarde  answered  evasively.  What  could  she 
say?  It  might  be  possible  that  some  day  when  both 
had  become  better  acquainted  with  one  another, 
George  might  propose  to  her — ^that  was  the  only  thing 
she  would  have  been  able  to  reply.  But  she  read 
in  her  parents'  faces  so  much  anxiety  and  yet  so  much 
hope,  that  she  did  not  have  the  heart  to  spoil  this 
pleasure.  She  had  a  saving  inspiration.  She  told 
briefly  of  George,  and  then  spoke  at  length  of  another 
rich  gentleman  who  had  lately  paid  most  pressing 
court  to  her. 

"  But,  child,  aunt  has  not  written  me  a  word  about 


..aauiiiaMhak >..  -.  --^  -1  ■-  ..--^  — •■   ■   J---.- ■  •■   .  Jl  .-.  :.^--. -j.-.i^i-^&-j 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  151 

that,  though  she  usually  keeps  me  well  informed 
about  everything." 

Hildegarde  felt  embarrassed.  She  said :  "  Mamma, 
I  should  not  like  you  to  write  aunt  about  this. 
Strangely  enough,  she  has  not  noticed  in  the  least 
the  other's  courtship,  neither  have  I  told  her.  You 
know  how  aunt  is.  She  is  well  disposed  toward  me, 
perhaps  only  too  well.  In  her  desire  to  help  me,  she 
might  go  a  little  too  far  and  spoil  it." 

"What's  his  name,  what  is  he?"  the  mother  in- 
quired. 

Hildegarde  blushed.  "  Please  don't  ask  me,  I 
should  not  like  to  talk  about  it  until  the  matter  has 
matured." 

"  Quite  right,  child,"  the  major  said  approvingly, 
"  one  should  not  talk  about  business  until  everything 
is  settled."  Turning  to  his  wife,  he  went  on :  "  Don't 
urge  Hildegarde ;  if  she  does  not  wish  to  speak  now, 
she  certainly  has  her  reasons  for  it."  He  shook  hands 
with  his  daughter.  "  I  thank  you,  Hilda,  for  giving 
me  this  pleasure  in  celebration  of  to-morrow:  two 
suitors  in  place  of  one.  At  last  something  definite 
will  come  of  it,"  and  with  a  heavy  sigh  he  added :  "  It 
is  high  time,  I  could  not  hold  out  much  longer." 

The  mother  also  groaned  and  said  with  a  low  voice : 
"  Hilda,  you  have  no  idea  of  the  hard  times  we  en- 
dured while  you  were  at  the  capital.  Just  think,  the 
tax  officials  were  going  to  have  an  execution  against 
us.    Papa  had  no  end  of  trouble  to  secure  a  reprieve." 

"  Yes,  it  was  a  hard  piece  of  work,  and  if  I  had  not 
been  able  to  throw  my  respectable  name  into  the 


152  FIRST-CLASS  MEN, 

balance,  the  fellows  would  have  put  their  official  seal 
on  my  last  piece  of  furniture.  Those  people  know 
no  pity." 

"  At  least  not  usually,"  Hildegarde  interposed. 

"  They  are  entirely  right  about  it,"  the  Major  as- 
sented, "the  State  cannot  live  without  taxes.  If  it 
would  grant  reprieve  to  every  laborer  or  merchant 
who  is  behind  with  his  taxes,  where  should  we  come 
to?  We  should  soon  be  in  a  tight  place  and  have 
no  money  for  the  soldiers,  for  pensions  and  for  other 
important  things.  The  State  must  be  relentless.  If 
it  makes  an  exception  with  us,  it  is  because  it  knows 
it  can  afford  it  well.  A  nobleman  will  always  dis- 
charge his  obligations  toward  the  State  and  his  fel- 
lowmen  in  the  end." 

Hildegarde  did  not  dare  to  contradict.  She  could 
not  have  done  it  without  charging  her  father  with 
falsehood. 

The  major  had  emptied  his  glass  of  beer.  "  This  is 
really  a  miserable  morning  beverage.  It  makes  one 
tired  and  spoils  the  appetite.  Don't  you  think  we 
might  have  a  small  bottle  of  champagne  to  celebrate 
our  reunion  ?  " 

The  major's  wife  showed  very  little  desire  to  do  so. 
She  grudged  the  expense.  Yet  she  knew  it  was  no  use 
to  object.  Possibly  it  might  raise  their  credit  a  little 
if  the  proprietor  told  how  they  had  drank  champagne, 
paying  cash  for  it.  So  she  consented.  "  Well,  for  my 
part  I  consent,  but  please  order  French  champagne." 

"  That  goes  without  saying,"  observed  the  major. 
"Do  you  think  I  should  celebrate  the  good  news 


FIB8T'CLA88  MENi  163 

Hildegarde  brings  us  with  miserable  German  spark- 
ling  wine  ?    Not  much  I  '*   He  called  the  waiter. 

Hildegarde  felt  tempted  to  say  to  her  parents: 
"Save  the  money,  you  have  no  occasion  to  rejoice. 
What  I  told  you  was  a  white  lie."  But  she  remained 
silent.  Why  aggravate  her  parents?  Perhaps  a 
miracle  might  happen  somehow  and  bring  everything 
to  a  happy  ending. 

"  You  better  bring  a  quart  bottle  Pommery,"  the 
major  said,  "  my  son  will  be  here  soon,  he  also  will 
be  thirsty,  so  it  is  not  worth  while  to  begin  with  a 
pint/' 

The  wine  was  served,  the  glasses  were  touched,  and 
Hildegarde  was  urged  to  give  her  story.  "  Not  here," 
she  begged,  "  there  is  no  more  uncongenial  place  than 
a  waiting-room,  particularly  in  a  small  town." 

"  Fancy,  child,  fancy,"  her  father  corrected  her. 
"When  I  was  still  a  young  lieutenant  garrisoned 
in  the  miserable  spot  which  Satan  may  some  day 
wipe  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  we  were  extremely 
glad  when  the  railroad  was  finished  and  we  had  a 
depot.  Day  after  day  we  would  walk  to  the  station, 
enter  the  waiting  room  and  feel  there  as  easy  and 
comfortable  as  nowhere  else.  If  the  road  had  not 
come  at  last,  if  we  could  not  have  gone  daily  to  the 
station,  I  believe  we  could  not  have  supported  life 
in  the  long  run,  but  should  have  become  deranged. 
Before  that  when  our  day's  work  was  done,  the  ques- 
tion would  confront  us :  when  and  how  are  you  going 
to  bed,  early  and  sober,  or  late  and  tipsy  ?  Now  our 
life  had  a  higher  aim,  we  must  see  the  trains  come 


Iriiaiaiifci^aBii^iAinthi  iim  \i,  in  in -ni  -'  -•'—>■-  --■■^ -  -^"  •'■■^i  j.-»rf^^'fl— '^-  .-^::^.-ww.AL-:^.^^>^».^:.^^j^YiMifi"  ii  i     '  ■-■  .^i  ■  -.jaJiifiihiMa 


154  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

and  go.  We  did  that  more  concientiously  tha;n  we 
performed  our  regular  service.  Think  of  the  fun, 
if  some  one  among  us  espied  an  acquaintance  in 
the  train.  He  was  taken  willy  nilly  from  his  com- 
partment, if  need  be  even  by  force.  When  we 
had  captured  such  a  guest  with  a  good  deal  of  in- 
genuity, we  did  not  let  go  of  him  easily.  He  was 
placed  under  military  supervision,  as  it  were,  so  that 
he  could  not  escape  us.  Our  guest  enjoyed  full  lib- 
erty, he  could  do  what  he  pleased,  provided  he  did 
not  go  to  the  depot.  When  at  last  he  had  to  go  away, 
after  proving  clearly  to  us  that  he  could  stay  no 
longer,  he  was  obliged  to  buy  himself  free  with  a 
giant  'bowle.'  Ha,  ha,  ha!  We  were  regular  high- 
waymen, but  good  Lord,  what  could  we  do  in  such 
a  stupid  place  ?  " 

The  major  loved  to  tell  of  the  life  in  the  small 
garrison,  where  apparently  he  had  felt  quite  at  ease, 
in  spite  of  all  his  cursing  and  scolding.  Talking 
about  the  time  when  he  was  a  young  lieutenant,  he 
more  than  once  would  interweave  his  tales  with  the 
words :  "  Children,  we  played  pranks  then,  pranks, — " 
and  he  would  half  close  his  merry  eyes  in  memory  of 
the  gay  hours  when  wine,  women  a"nd  dice  played  the 
main  role  in  his  existence.  Possibly  the  life  in  the 
small  garrison  was  a  beautiful  memory  to  him  solely, 
because  he  considered  it  as  a  kind  of  episode.  Im- 
mediately after  his  engagement  he  had  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  capital  where  he  played  a  great  role, 
because  he  was  an  amiable  man  and  a  good  officer, 
a"nd  his  wife  attended  all  of  the  Queen's  entertain- 


riiii'i  I  ii  ih\tik\ 


>'.-^  .-iJf.'-  ,..ia^l,.^.a,.:rf_J^  ^  ^  ^-j  ^   --,-  J  -  ^^:  .- j    i    i  ^  '  f  V       I'    i  i  t '  r 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  155 

ments.  A  great  career  was  prophesied  for  him.  But 
one  day  during  an  inspection  he  was  severely  criti- 
cized. The  sneering  tone  in  which  the  general,  in 
the  presence  of  all  officers,  judged  his  achievements 
made  his  blood  boil,  and  he  so  far  forgot  himself  as 
to  tell  his  superior  before  all  the  lieutenants  that  his 
excellency  was  likewise  o"nly  human  and  might  there- 
fore err;  that  he  did  not  consider  his  excellency's 
view  as  absolutely  decisive.  That  was  more  than 
insubordination,  and  the  major  had  to  thank  his  stars 
to  get  off  with  discharge  without  being  punished. 
He  had  to  go ;  but  a  little  later  the  general  also  was 
discharged  because  in  high  quarters  the  manner  of 
his  criticism  was  not  considered  quite  correct.  When 
the  major  told  of  his  term  as  lieutenant,  he  would 
go  on  talking  about  one  thing  and  the  other,  and 
though  his  ladies  already  knew  the  stories,  they 
would  listen  to  him  with  loving  attention.  There 
was  nothing  for  him  to  do  in  the  wide  world  now  but 
to  tell  of  the  things  he  had  gone  through  as  an 
officer,  in  gay  and  in  hard  times.  When  he  was 
drinking  champagne  as  he  did  now,  the  past  appeared 
to  him  in  a  golden  hue.  When  he  was  at  home  with 
his  financial  worries,  he  couldn't  find  anything  good 
in  the  whole  army  system. 

At  last  the  train  that  was  to  bring  Fritz  was 
signalled. 

The  major  looked  into  the  bottle.  It  was  empty. 
He  turned  to  the  waiter  to  order  a  new  one,  but  the 
ladies  objected :  "  Let  us  drive  home,  where  it  is  more 
congenial.    We  have  to  dress  before  dinner," 


.  ^fniii-t' iVrifTi-.  yan^MiiirtT  -jiitt' I  ■  I 'li  Tfti^ini^'-^-^^'-^-'---—     -       ■  --  -  .-Kr-l^^^jaateiAibu^t^^ 


156  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN, 

Eeluctantly,  the  major  at  last  consented.  "I'll 
pay  the  bill ! "  He  put  his  hand  into  his  pocket. 
"  Lord,  I  forgot  to  put  the  hundred-mark  note  in  my 
pocket,  and  now  I  haven't  got  enough  money  with 
me." 

"Pray,  that  doesn't  matter,  Herr  Major,"  the 
waiter  said,  "  the  Herr  Major  will  pay  the  next  time." 

Hildegarde  blushed,  she  was  deeply  ashamed  for 
her  father.  She  knew  this  trick  only  too  welL  She 
had  witnessed  times  innumerable  how  her  father 
had  forgotten  the  hundred-mark  not  which  uanally 
he  did  not  possess  at  all.  How  was  it  possible  it  had 
escaped  her  for  the  moment?  Under  no  circum- 
stances must  her  father  owe  the  breakfast  in  which 
she  had  taken  part.  So  she  opened  her  pocket-book : 
"  I  have  change,  Father,  how  much  do  you  need  ?  " 
Without  waiting  for  his  answer  she  pushed  two  gold 
pieces  toward  the  waiter. 

"Yes,  that's  better,  Hilda,  please  remind  me  so 
that  I  refund  you  the  money  when  we  get  home.'* 

The  waiter  offered  the  change,  but  Hildegarde  mo- 
tioned to  him :  "  It  is  all  right,  keep  the  change  for 
yourself." 

They  arose  and  went  out  to  the  platform.  "  Hilde- 
garde, how  could  you  be  foolish  enough  to  pay ! "  the 
major  scolded.  "  To-morrow  they'll  tell  through  the 
whole  town  that  you  brought  money,  and  when  I  cele- 
brate my  birthday,  they  will  attack  me  from  all  quar- 
ters for  payment  of  their  bills.  One  must  either  pay 
cash  down  for  everything,  or  have  everything  charged. 
The  former  I  cannot  do,  so  I  have  everything  charged 


-J8-JW 


FIB6T'CLA88  MEN;  167 

in  order  to  pay  off  the  lot  in  one  stroke."  Hildegariie 
was  indignant  over  this  view.  "  What  do  you  think 
about  it,  mother?'' 

The  Frau  Baronin  shrugged  her  shoulders.  "I 
should  like  it  much  better,  if  we  could  pay  cash  for 
everything,  but  since  we  can't  we  choose  the  other 
way.  The  people  know  that  their  money  is  sure." 
Drawing  Hildegarde  a  little  aside,  she  inquired  with 
a  subdued  voioe :  "  Do  tell  me,  for  I  am  greatly 
troubled,  and  wonder  that  Papa  has  made  no  inquiry 
about  it;  yet,  what  will  the  Warnows  give  him  for 
his  birthday  ?  " 

"  Uncle  gave  me  a  check  payable  at  the  local  branch 
of  the  Imperial  Bank,  for  six  thousand  marks." 

"Not  more?" 

"  Mamma  I " 

Hildegarde  found  no  words.  She  had  been  more 
than  ashamed  over  her  uticle's  great  kindness.  She 
had  counted  up  for  herself  all  he  had  spent  in  the 
course  of  years  for  Fritz,  for  her  parents  and  for 
herself.  True,  he  was  rich  and  did  not  spend  all 
his  income  in  spite  of  his  brilliant  establishment,  and 
in  spite  of  what  he  gave  away.  Yet  his  kindness  had 
touched  her  and  made  her  feel  ashamed,  so  that  she 
had  hesitated  long  before  accepting  the  money. 

In  deep  thought  the  mother  had  walked  by  her 
daughter's  side,  while  the  father  talked  with  a  rail- 
road official  as  to  why  the  track  was  not  free  yet. 
Now  she  spoke:  "I  believe  he  will  be  disappointed. 
As  far  as  I  know,  he  has  been  counting  on  at  least 
ten  thousand  marks.   After  all,  six  thousand  is  a  good 


158  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

deal  of  money,  if  nobody  hears  anything  about  it. 
Else  it  will  all  be  taken  away  from  us  forthwith." 

The  arrival  of  the  train  put  an  end  to  the  conver- 
sation. A  moment  later  Fritz  hurried  toward  his 
parents  and  his  sister.  He  was  attired  in  faultless 
civilian  dress,  yet  his  bearing  plainly  indicated  the 
officer. 

"Morning),  Mammaj;  mornftng.  Papa;  morning, 
Hilda ;  it's  nice  that  the  four  of  us  are  together  again 
for  once.  Let  us  have  a  fine  celebration  for  a  few 
days."  He  looked  around  for  his  orderly.  "  Where 
is  the  clown?  The  devil  knows,  those  fellows  get 
more  stupid  every  day.    There  he  comes." 

The  orderly  appeared,  and  Fritz  handed  him  his 
baggage  certificate.  "  If  you  rhinoceros  believe  that 
I  took  you  along  for  your  private  pleasure,  you  are 
mistaken.    You  are  here  for  me.    If  you  loaf  around 

and  don't  attend  to  your  d duty,  I'll  have  you 

locked  up  for  a  few  days  and  get  another  in  your 
place,  do  you  understand?  Hurry  up,  get  the  bag- 
gage into  the  carriage." 

"  At  your  service,  Herr  Lieutenant ! "  The  orderly 
trotted  away  to  carry  out  his  orders. 

Hildegarde  noticed  how  the  soldier's  face  flushed 
at  the  way  in  which  his  lieutenant  treated  him  in  the 
presence  of  the  ladies  and  of  the  other  travellers.  She 
said  to  her  brother:  "Don't  be  so  cross  with  your 
orderly;  he  surely  looked  forward  to  this  trip  with 
some  pleasure.    You  should  not  spoil  it  for  him." 

"  It  is  all  the  same  to  me  whether  the  fellow  enjoys 
himself  or  not,"  Fritz  snarled  at  his  sister;  "the 


iX^.  ;^_Luu'JUJ^.dleu■teUi■l■i 


FIR8T'CLA88  MEN.  159 

main  thing  is  that  I  should  have  my  own  comfort. 
Aside  from  that,  I  beg  of  you  not  to  prescribe  to  me 
how  to  treat  my  men.  Don't  bother  about  things  that 
are  none  of  your  business.  Bather  tell  me  what  is 
the  condition  of  your  fortune.  Will  it  be  soon  time  to 
congratulate,  eh  ?  " 

They  had  seated  themselves  in  the  carriage.  The 
luggage  had  been  stowed  in  the  vehicle,  the  orderly 
was  enthroned  upon  the  trunks,  and  they  drove 
toward  the  villa  inhabited  by  the  major. 

Hildegarde  did  "not  answer.  Fritz  was  about  to 
repeat  his  question  when  he  read  in  his  mother's 
eyes  the  request  not  to  insist  further  with  Hilde- 
garde, since  everything  went  well.    He  felt  relieved. 

After  a  brief  journey  they  arrived  at  the  house, 
and  later  on  met  at  table.  The  major  beamed  with 
pleasure  at  having  both  his  children  with  him,  In 
celebration  of  to-day  and  in  anticipation  of  to-morrow 
they  had  the  best  of  food  and  the  best  of  wines.  Later 
on  when  the  coffee  and  the  cigars  were  served,  they 
remained  together  for  a  long  time.  Brother  and 
sister  had  to  tell  their  story,  the  one  from  the 
capital,  the  other  from  his  provincial  garrison. 

Though  the  major  loved  his  beautiful  daughter, 
yet  Fritz  was  his  spoiled  favorite.  Everything  he  did 
was  good,  everything  he  said  was  unquestionable. 
Hildegarde,  on  the  other  hand,  found  her  brother  had 
grown  more  intolerable  since  she  saw  him  lasi  He 
was  possessed  of  an  incredible  superciliousness,  the 
type  of  a  young  officer  who  has  nothing,  is  nothing, 
and  yet  fancies  himself  to  be  a  higher  being  because 


- "  ''*■-■'  ■■" '.t.,.-^. 


160  FIRST-CLASS  MSN 

of  his  coat.  His  demeanor  was  as  affected  as  hia 
exterior;  the  ends  of  the  mustache  proudly  pointing 
upward,  the  hair  parted  down  the  back  of  his  head, 
the  monocle  which  he  did  iiot  take  from  his  eye  for 
a  moment,  the  civilian  suit  cut  in  an  ultra-fashion- 
able pattern.  He  was  not  exactly  homely.  He 
looked  well  with  his  supple  and  elegant  figure,  his 
face  not  intellectual,  and  not  very  expressive,  but 
blooming  and  open. 

Naturally  he  told  of  his  horses,  his  service,  and 
his  comrades,  and  Hildegarde  finally  was  so  bored 
that  she  rose  under  the  pretext  that  she  needed  rest. 
The  mother  also  rose  after  having  arranged  with  her 
daughter  for  a  few  calls  to  be  made  during  the  after- 
noon. When  father  and  son  were  alone,  it  was: 
"  Well,  don't  we  drink  another  bottle  ?  " 

"Of  course!" 

The  wine  yras  served,  and  for  a  little  while  they 
dwelt  on  the  old  subject  of  conversatioli ;  then  they 
talked  of  Hildegarde. 

"  The  girl  still  looks  fine,"  Fritz  said.  "  You  really 
think  something  will  materialize  this  time?" 

The  major  saw  everything  to-day  in  a  rosy  hue. 
"  Certainly,  positively.  Hildegarde  has  even  two  on 
her  hook,  one  will  bite  under  all  circumstances." 

Fritz  groaned  aloud :  "  May  the  Lord  grant  it !  " 

"  Yes,  may  the  Lord  grant  it,"  his  father  assented. 
"  Now  we  see  salvation  clearly  ahead  of  us;  you  need 
no  longer  have  any  secret  from  me.  Besides,  you 
know  that  I  could  not  pay  your  debts.  I  told  you 
so  at  the  time  you  became  an  officer.    This  is  what  I 


,ii„^ 


FIEST-0LA88  MEN  161 

told  you :  Contract  as  many  debts  as  you  like,  but  you 
must  look  out  yourself  tow  you  pay  them.  Now  con- 
fess, how  deep  are  you  in  debt?''  For  a  moment 
Fritz  was  somewhat  embarrassed. 

"  Do  you  really  want  to  know  ?  " 

"  Why  not  ?  Since  I  pay  nothing,  you  may  rest  as- 
sured that  I  will  not  offer  any  reproaches." 

Fritz  lighted  a  new  cigar.  "AU  told,  it  will  be 
about  forty  thousaiid  marks." 

"  And  how  long  have  you  been  a  lieutenant  ?  " 

"  Seven  years." 

"  That  makes  annually  six  thousand  marks,  in 
round  figures.     It  isn't  exactly  a  trifle." 

Fritz  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "What  can  I  do? 
Life  is  expensive.  One  is  not  born  into  the  world 
only  to  attend  one's  service.  With  the  allowance  you 
made  me,  I  cannot  get  along,  of  course." 

"  Somebody  else  might — ^not  you."  . 

"I  believe  nobody  else  would,  at  least  not  in  my 
regiment.  They  are  all  in  debt,  some  more,  some  less. 
Seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  lieutenants  confess  from 
time  to  time  to  their  parents  and  relatives,  and  then 
a  few  thousand  marks  are  raised,  always  for  the  last 
time,  to  get  the  young  gentlemen  afloat  again.  If 
you  multiply  by  seven  the  amount  of  debts  paid  off 
by  the  others  annually  you  get  a  pretty  sum.  In  my 
case  things  have  accumulated  little  by  little,  and 
meanwhile  never  a  cent  has  been  paid  off.  If  one  is 
in  it  as  deep  as  I  am,  higher  interest  is  charged  than 
to  a  fellow  who  has  still  a  clean  sheet.  The  last  time 
I  wrote  my  signature  for  three  thousand  marks,  all 


j^-^.Jij^jii..J\  .•'        .  ■•■■  .-"  '.-      •.''  .  >..A,'.^-Aij  "   .-■-■■^■-'  JL'.J'\  "-...-..;"_.-■'    ..-;  .-=,  ..w---  f ifitrii'iiii'j     ir 


162  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

my  wiles  and  artifices  would  not  procure  for  me  more 
than  one  thousand." 

"Well,  that's  at  least  something,"  the  major 
laughed. 

Involuntarily  Fritz  joined  the  laughter.  Then  he 
grew  serious  and  inquired:  "How  are  things  with 
you,  papa  ? ' 

The  major  smoked  furiously.  "  Don't  ask  me,  my 
son;  miserable." 

The  old  gentleman  looked  so  downcast  that  Fritz 
felt  genuine  pity.  "  Poor  father,  they  will  go  better 
in  the  near  future." 

"  Certainly,  but  you  may  believe  that,  though  I  am 
a  man  of  liberal  ideas,  it  seems  horrible  to  me  to 
have  to  accept  money  from  my  son-in-law,  not  only 
to  pay  my  debts,  but  to  be  able  to  live  at  all." 

Fritz  looked  astonished.  "I  don't  understand 
you." 

"  You're  a  young  lieutenant,  single.  You  have  to 
care  for  nobody  but  yourself.  Now  look  at  me ;  I  am 
a  man  of  sixty.  I  have  been  pensioned  for  more 
than  ten  years.  When  a  boy  of  eight  I  became  a 
cadet.  I  have  worn  the  uniform  for  more  than  forty 
years.  During  that  time  I  drilled  recruits  after 
learning  to  drill  myself;  I  did  my  duty  on  the  drill 
ground  and  elsewhere  and  took  part  in  three  cam- 
paigns. What  is  the  result?  I  left  the  army  on  a 
pension  on  which  a  man  with  a  family  cannot  live. 
Puphied  aside  withi  four  thousand  marks  a  year! 
Pray,  what  are  four  thousand  marks  nowadays? 
They  say  things  will  be  improved,  pensions  will  be 


...  I... 


.  •'•-■'—•■"  ^"^'^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  163 

increased — ^well,  let  us  assume  that  we  get  an  in- 
crease of  fifteen  hundred  marks  per  annum.  It  won't 
be  more  than  that  anyway,  if  we  get  as  much.  WTiat 
then  ?  Would  even  six  thousand  marks  suffice  to  de- 
fray the  living  expenses  of  a  family  ?  Perhaps  in  a 
little  town  and  with  very  modest  living.  Is  it  for 
that  one  has  grown  gray,  has  exposed  his  bones  for  de- 
cades in  peace,  has  braved  danger  in  three  cam- 
paigns? In  old  age  must  one  suffer  restriction  after 
restriction  in  order  to  be  able  to  live  at  all?  There 
is  a  saying,  *  If  you  have  been  used  to  cake  in  your 
youth,  you  won't  find  it  easy  to  eat  rye-bread  in  your 
old  age.'  We  pensioned  officers  mostly  ate  cake  in  our 
youth.  Of  course,  there  are  honorable  exceptions 
who  got  along  with  their  allowance,  who  li\;pd  econom- 
ically and  modestly;  but  the  majority  plunged  into 
life  and  enjoyed  everything  it  contained.  Think  how 
we  were  feted,  from  one  festival  to  the  other,  from 
one  dinner  to  the  other.  The  choicest  bits  were 
placed  before  us,  we  were  overwhelmed  with  atten- 
tions, we  were  courted  and  flattered  in  every  way. 
Think  how  well  we  lived  at  the  Casino.  We  ordered 
whatever  we  wanted,  and  if  we  didn't  have  ready 
money  we  had  it  charged.  Then,  after  such  a  gay 
youth,  follows  a  dreary  old  age.  The  worst  is  not 
the  enforced  idleness.  At  least  there  is  rest  from 
drudgery.  Two  things  make  our  life  intolerable: 
financial  worry  and  the  position  we  occupy.  What 
are  we  now  ?  Absolutely  nothing.  The  youngest  and 
most  stupid  lieutenant  plays  a  far  more  important 
role.    We  are  done  for.    Nobody  notices  us;  we  are 


-'.Iv^.l.  ^^ib.iZvj.2.w^^:. 


164     ■  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

either  ridiculous  or  at  best  to  be  pitied.  Most  people 
can't  understand  what  business  we  have  to  remain 
alive.  Having  done  our  duty  for  decades,  we  may 
retire  to  some  miserable  hole,  either  to  be  bored  or  to 
starve  to  death.  You  have  !no  idea,  my  son,  how 
things  are  in  the  families  of  pensioned  officers  living 
with  us  in  this  town.  It  is  the  same  in  each  Pen- 
sionopolis.  There  is  a  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth, 
of  which  only  the  initiated  have  any  idea.  How  few 
find  an  opportuliity  to  add  to  their  income.  The  pen- 
sioned officer  is  treated  with  a  suspicion  that  is  not 
without  good  cause.  If  he  applies  for  a  position,  or  if 
he  is  active  as  agent  or  wine-salesman,  how  much 
can  he  earn?  Only  in  the  rarest  instances  does  it 
amount  to  anything.  It's  misery,  a  dog's  misery. 
Fill  my  glass,  my  son,  pour  out  the  wilie.  Let  us 
gild  the  gray  day,  yes,  let  us  gild  it !  " 

Father  and  son  touched  their  glasses  and  emptied 
them  with  one  draught.  Fritz  spoke :  "  Father,  you 
may  be  right  in  what  you  say;  but  how  can  it  be 
changed?    It  always  was  so.    It  always  will  remain 

60." 

"  Certainly ;  at  least  as  long  as  the  officer  plays  in 
society  the  role  he  plays  to-day." 

Fritz  looked  up,  astonished.  "Do  you,  as  an  old 
officer,  wish  to  have  it  otherwise  ?  " 

"In  some  respects,  yes.  Nothing  is  farther  from 
me  than  the  wish  that  the  officers  as  a  class  should 
lose  any  of  their  standing.  In  my  judgment,  they 
should  remain  in  the  estimation  of  the  public  what 
they  are  to-day:  first-class  men.    That  is  necessary  if 


_ii&iiiliaateabiHiiiAi^M 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN.  165 

our  army  is  to  continue  as  it  is.  It  is  true  things 
are  not  altogether  as  they  should  be;  the  eternal  in- 
spections, the  fear  of  dismissal,  the  struggle  for  indi- 
vidual existence,  will  not  admit  of  the  uninterrupted 
warlike  education  of  our  troops.  But  that  is  another 
story."  He  turned  to  his  son :  "  Fill  my  glass  again ; 
this  long  talk  makes  me  thirsty."  He  emptied  it  at  a 
draught  and  went  on :  "  Wherefore,  my  son,  the  first- 
class  men  should  continue  to  be  Caste  One,  but  in 
order  to  do  so  they  should  flock  by  themselves  more 
than  they  do  now.  There  is  always  talk  about  the 
caste  spirit  among  the  officers.  True,  it  is  shown  on 
solemn  occasiolis,  when  unwelcome  elements  are  to  be 
kept  out  of  the  officers'  corps,  or  when  somebody 
stabs  a  civilian  with  his  sword,  or  when  an  officer 
shoots  a  comrade  or  somebody  else  in  a  duel.  If  on 
such  occasions  the  other  classes  raise  a  howl,  the 
answer  is :  '  We  are  Caste  One !  We  have  our  own 
standard  of  honor.  You  do  not  comprehend  us.  Our 
thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  and  your  thoughts, 
praise  the  Lord,  are  not  ours,'  How  is  it  with  Caste 
One  in  other  respects?  If  its  views  are  special,  its 
conceptions  of  honor  high,  then  it  should  not  simply 
pose  before  the  world,  but  it  should  in  fact  be  Caste 
One.  It  should  always  be  mindful  of  our  Emperor's 
words :  '  The  best  company  for  the  officer  is  and  al- 
ways will  be  the  officer.'  You  don't  live  up  to  this, 
and  that  brings  me  to  my  point.  Look  at  the  com- 
pany the  officers  frequent  to-day.  They  do  not  move 
in  bad  society,  but  they  have  too  much  society.  The 
lieutetiants  are  too  much  in  demand.    Everybody  who 


iifMiWiri  ■!■•■', 


166  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

keeps  an  open  house  wants  to  have  the  officers  with 
him.  How  do  you  treat  that  ?  You  accept  every  in- 
vitation, unless  there  is  something  against  the  host 
which  makes  your  appearance  in  his  house  an  abso- 
lute impossibility.  That  is  the  case  only  in  the  rarest 
instances.  Wherever  a  dinner,  a  supper,  or  some 
other  entertainment  beckons,  with  good  eating  and 
good  drinking,  there  you  find  the  officers.  In  order 
to  eat  and  drink  well,  they  go  to  people  with  whom 
they  would  not  sit  at  table  but  for  the  fact  that  they 
are  rich.  It  is  a  sad  fact  that  money  ennobles  now- 
adays even  in  the  eyes  of  the  officers.  The  proud  con- 
ception of  honor  which  Caste  One  should  cherish 

should  not  consider  whether  Mr.  X is  rich  or 

poor,  but  only  whether  he  is  a  man  of  honor.  I  have 
observed  often  enough  how  even  old  officers  bow  low 
before  the  money-bag,  how  they  court  the  favor  of 
rich  people,  how  they  make  every  effort  to  be  intro- 
duced into  a  house  from  which  a  good  dinner  or  a  rich 
daughter  beckons.  In  acting  that  way  the  officer 
lowers  himself  in  the  eyes  of  other  people  and  becomes 
exposed  to  the  contempt  and  ridicule  of  reasonable 
and  thinking  men." 

"But,  father,"  the  son  interposed. 

"  Let  me  finish.  Up  to  this  point  you  must  agree, 
if  you  are  just.  However,  the  chief  reason  why  I 
should  like  to  change  the  social  position  of  the  offi- 
cer is  that  existing  conditions  deprive  him  of  pleasure 
in  the  service  and  force  him  into  a  false  mode  of  life. 
If  he  goes  to  balls,  evening  after  evening,  he  cannot 
attend  to  his  duties  early  the  next  day.    If  he  indulges 


Ir-i  -JiMftliltll'fiti««^  I -Hi 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  167 

daily  at  other  people's  table  in  oysters  and  cham- 
pagne, he  cannot  live  modestly  at  the  Casino  or  at 
home  in  the  simple  fashion  he  ought,  in  order  to  re- 
main within  his  means,  in  order  to  be  a  shining  model 
of  the  true  Caste  One.  I  don't  blame  the  lieutenants 
entirely  for  the  lives  they  lead,  nor  society  either. 
The  chief  fault  lies  with  their  superiors.  In  my 
judgment,  it  is  their  duty  to  forbid  the  officers  to 
carry  social  intercourse  to  such  extremes.  Mere 
admonitions  not  to  live  beyond  their  means  will  not 
do,  nor  is  it  of  much  use  to  read  to  the  officers  from 
time  to  time  His  Majesty's  order :  '  The  more  luxury 
and  easy  living  abound,  the  more  it  behooves  the  offi- 
cer to  be  a  shining  example  of  thrift  and  clean  living,' 
or  words  to  that  ejffect.  Such  orders  may  cause  the 
officer  to  be  thrifty  at  the  Casino;  but  life  at  the 
Casino  has  rarely  been  the  cause  of  anybody's  down- 
fall. Society  is  the  officer's  ruin.  It  inoculates  him 
with  the  mania  of  greatness,  almost  with  the  sense  of 
being  the  special  favorite  of  the  Almighty.  It  instils 
into  him  the  poison  of  feeling  himself  a  being  apart. 
Above  all,  it  forces  him  to  make  debts,  to  live  without 
God,  in  order  to  emulate  the  rich.  Once  you  become 
an  old  fellow  like  myself,  without  money  and  with- 
out position,  you  will  see  and  comprehend  how  society 
sitined  against  you  by  spoiling  you  in  such  fashion. 
A  young  lieutenant  is  obtuse  enough  to  believe  the 
invitations  are  tendered  for  his  own  sake,  when 
they  are  meant  only  for  the  uniform." 

"  Not  always." 

"  With  the  lieutenants  always,  I  would  bet  my  life 


■  .^.  .ji  ■  -jJL..  - .-:  -^  —  ■  1  i  Mii  I  ffii    -'^•^-  -•— >  ■^- '-'  -"^  J^  *-  -    "  -^  -^  ^-  •  "a  ■hfi  ir  "i  I  1 II        '    "  '      •     -  JuiiaiN  i 


'Wyw™w"i '-•^j»- 


168  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

on  that.  Don't  you  know  the  late  Emperor  Frederick 
signed  an  order  accordi'ng  to  which  his  officers  should 
wear  uniform  only  when  on  duty,  but  should  other- 
wise appear  in  civilian  dress  ?  I  do  not  wish  to  pass 
judgment  upon  this  ordinance  from  the  highest  quar- 
ter. It  was  never  carried  out.  If  it  had  been  en- 
forced it  would  have  deprived  the  lieutenants  of  their 
social  position  with  one  stroke.  The  little  girls  would 
have  been  disappointed,  the  Krefeld  Hussars  would 
not  have  been  in  such  a  great  demand.  If  you  may 
believe  me,  the  execution  of  this  order  would  have 
done  a  great  deal  of  good  to  the  officers  in  many 
ways." 

Fritz  had  listened  to  his  father  in  astonishment. 
Now  he  said:  "How  would  you  picture  our  life  to 
yourself  after  such  changes?  Without  society,  we 
could  not  exist,  we  should  grow  stale  and  stupid.'' 

"  Not  in  the  least,"  the  old  major  laughed.  "  Hon- 
estly, my  boy.  What  does  your  conversation  at  social 
affairs  amount  to  ?  You  talk,  that's  all.  You  utter 
sweet  nonsense.  You  gossip  together.  Did  you  ever 
attend  an  entertainment  where  you  discussed  a  serious 
topic  ?  You  couldn't  do  it  if  you  tried,  because  you 
are  far  too  stupid  for  it  1  Don't  feel  offended  by  that 
harsh  word.  I  know  I  am  right.  Nobody  has  the 
right  to  reproach  you  with  your  stupidity.  The 
largest  percentage  of  officers  consists  of  cadets.  What 
do  they  learn  in  their  course  of  preparation  ?  Athlet- 
ics, riding,  drawing,  manners  and  deportment.  What 
else  ?  What  you  acquire  as  to  sciences  is  hardly  worth 
while,  but  will  suffice  for  the  career  of  a  lieutenant. 


i^,^: 


fibsT'CiijAss  mm  169 

I  have  belonged  to  thq  cadet  corps  myself,  and  can 
tell  you  that  such  life  seemed  to  me  horribly  dull, 
because  I  realized  I  knew  precious  little  of  what  a 
cultivated  man  ought  to  know.  That  a  young  lieuten- 
aut  JiDwadays  educates  himself  happens  only  in  the 
rarest  instances.  If  he  works  at  all,  he  sticks  to 
special  branches,  is  glad  to  have  completed  his  round 
of  duiy,  to  rest  himself,  or  to  fill  his  stomach  with 
alcohol.  Ah,  the  last  occupation  is  not  the  worst; 
fiU  the  glasses,  njy  boy  I " 

Again  they  touched  glasses. 

"What  wefe  yte  talking  about?"  the  major  in- 
quired. "  Oh,  yes,  I  recollect.  Your  intellectual  cul- 
tivation does  not  tend  to  make  you  yearn  for  social 
affairs.  P?i  the  contrary,  if  you  were  wiser,  you 
would  perceive  what  a  bore  it  is  to  dine  to-day  at 
Miller's,  to-morrow  at  Schulze's,  and  to  dance  at- 
tendance npon  the  young  ladies.  You  could  well 
dispense  with  the  entertainment,  but  not  with  the 
little  girls  and  the  good  living." 

"  What  do  you  want,  father  ?  I  don't  understand 
you.  Alipost  every  week  you  read  in  the  papers 
about  a  scandal  in  some  small  garrison.  Either  two 
drunken  lieutenants  box  each  other's  ears,  or  they 
have  seduced  each  other's  wives,  or  contributed  in 
some  wa^^ft)'  the  chronique  acQ^ndaleuse.  There  is 
always  this  plausible  excuse :  *  The  men  have  nothing 
but  the  wiperroom,  which  corrupts  their  morals.  If 
they  coijld  have  social  life,  like  their  comrades  in  the 
large  cities,  such  affairs  could  not  happeji.'    If  we 


..-A.hA.Jl^lt      1^.^ 


170  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


had  no  more  social  affairs,  we  should  simply  rot. 
Yet  you  wish  to  take  them  from  us." 

"  Not  at  all.  I  should  only  change  it,  simplify  it, 
reorganize  it.  If  nowadays  two  lieutenants  meet  in 
the  morning  at  duty,  and  one  tells  the  other  how  he 
went  the  day  before  to  the  Privy  Councillor's,  it  is 
dead  sure  the  other  will  ask,  'Anything  decent  to 
eat  ? '  Though  the  first  speaker  prides  himself  on 
his  inability  to  commit  anything  to  memory,  he  will 
grind  out  the  whole  long  menu  with  all  the  brands 
of  wine  consumed.  If  an  old  staff  officer  who  knows 
how  to  appreciate  good  wines  does  such  a  thing,  I  let 
it  pass.  The  man  is  within  his  rights ;  it  is  his  sacred 
duty  gratefully  to  appreciate  all  the  good  wines  the 
Lord  permits  to  grow.  But  if  a  lieutenant  at  twenty 
does  it,  it  is  nothing  but  the  desire  to  boast.  Those 
young  fellows  have  no  idea  as  to  what  is  placed  be- 
fore them,  they  are  too  inexperienced  to  understand 
it;  but  they  are  forced,  as  it  were,  to  become  gour- 
mands and  high  livers.  If  a  couple  of  lieutenants 
are  asked  to  dinner  somewhere,  the  good  housewife 
wrings  her  hands :  *  We  cannot  have  this,  we  cannot 
have  that,  it  isn't  good  enough.  If  we  don't  give 
the  gentlemen  something  good  to  eat,  they  won't 
come  again ;  they  are  so  spoiled.'  Tme  '^^sreneral,  it 
is  the  custom  to  invite  to  dinner  ti^.-  'l^j  tains  and 
staff  officers,  and  the  lieutenants  only  to  balls ;  but  is 
the  supper  after  a  ball  anything  but  a  dinner  served 
late  in  the  evening  ?  There  is  caviar,  lobster  pdt6  de 
foie  graSj  and  such  things.  One  bottle  of  cham- 
pagne following  another.    That  is  the  wrong  society 


...  ■■....  ...I,. a;..-     ...-.^  ^ll^il^Vgji^l^gggBj^l^lggii^ 


^fgifw^gn^f^rw^'^y^^'^  ''^f-^' ^•^•■y- '^'g.-^ 'JTT'}'-'  ''''•^'"■''gffy^y^/*'*"^*""'.^ ?? -  v. '  ."'^^y^^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  171 

inflicts  upon  the  young  officer.  That's  the  way  you 
are  spoiled  to  such  an  extent  that  it  becomes  your 
hide-bound  conviction :  to  live  means  only  to  live  well. 
You  see  it  everywhere,  in  every  house.  No  wonder 
your  ideas  become  warped." 

"But  how  are  you  going  to  change  social  condi- 
tions?" 

"  I  should  arrange  it  so  that  in  the  future  it  should 
not  be  a  matter  of  eating  and  drinking,  but  that 
people  should  find  real  sociability  at  such  festivities, 
not  merely  a  grand  supper.  First  of  all,  the  young 
lieutenant  should  in  future  be  treated  as  a  human 
being,  not  like  a  demigod.  He  should  realize  that 
trouble  and  expense  are  not  taken  for  his  sake,  and 
that  he  is  nothing  more  than  a  young  man  of  decent 
family.  His  senses  should  not  be  intoxicated,  he 
should  be  treated  with  courtesy  and  kindness,  like 
any  other  guest,  but  he  should  not  be  preferred.  If 
society  resolves  to  take  that  course,  the  lieutenant 
will  again  be  what  he  ought  to  be,  and  what  he  no 
longer  is  nowadays.  He  would  lose  his  excessive  self- 
conceit,  perform  his  service  with  eagerness  and  pleas- 
ure, would  again  live  a  life  of  thrift  and  simplicity, 
would  no  longer  be  ashamed  to  own  frankly:  *My 
means  won't  allow  this  or  that.'  The  number  of 
those  who  drop  out  because  of  their  thoughtless  mode 
of  life  would  diminish  rapidly.  Later  on,  when  the 
lieutenant  would  doff  his  uniform,  he  would  no 
longer  yearn  for  the  flesh-pots  of  Egypt.  He  would 
know  how  to  get  along  with  his  pension.  If,  during 
his  whole  term  of  service  he  had  not  been  worshipped 


:it»,:«.-*.^., 


y?a-l^-5:fjjj 


m  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

like  a  second  golden  calf,  he  would  bear  it  better  later 
on  not  to  play  the  first  violin  when  pensioned. 
Another  thing:  If  it  has  been  made  clear  to  him 
while  an  officer  that  he  is  not  better  than  other  human 
beings,  he  will  not  shrink  from  work  and  will  not  be 
ashamed  of  it  after  he  has  quitted  the  service.  He 
will  learn  to  fit  himself  for  a  position  which  enables 
him  to  support  himself  and  his  family.  He  will  con- 
sider it  respectable  to  live  On  money  honestly  earned, 
rather  than  to  borrow  and  to  run  into  debt." 

Fritz  was  more  and  more  astonished.  "  How  do 
you  come  to  hold  such  views  ?  " 

"How?  I  have  always  held  them,  though  I  did 
not  always  live  up  to  them.  You  know  the  predica- 
ment I  am  in.  Is  it  not  natural  I  should  ask  myself 
who  and  what  is  at  fault?  I  have  thought  about  it 
seriously,  and  I  have  reached  this  conclusion :  Society 
is  at  fault  for  spoiling  us,  as  it  is  now  spoiling  you, 
and  for  throwing  aside  without  regard  anybody  no 
longer  wearing  the  uniform.  Society  means  well; 
but,  without  intending  it,  is  sinning  against  the 
lieutenants.  In  that  sense.  His  Majesty  is  right  in 
regard  to  the  sentiment  quoted :  '  The  best  society  for 
the  officer  is  the  officer.'  Had  I  become  a  colonel, 
commanding  a  regiment,  I  should  certainly  have  told 
my  officers :  '  Gentlemen,  you  will  have  to  stop  run- 
ning to  any  house  where  a  dinner  smells  nice;  I 
shall  name  for  you  the  families  with  whom  you  are 
allowed  to  associate.'  I  should  theli  have  selected  for 
them  only  those  houses  where  they  would  have  had,  in 
Iho  urst  place,  good  family  associations;  secondly, 


fgajlUiHaUlM^.^  -^       •'•—'••--''-■'■-        ■■■■■■'■'      ■■' ..l.:.,^^. .  ■^^.^j.j.tU.t 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN,  173 

only  a  very  simple  supper.  You  may  believe  me,  my 
son,  at  first  my  officers  would  Have  cursed  and  con- 
signed me  to  the  devil,  but  later  on  they  would  have 
toasted  me.  You  remember  what  Bismarck  said: 
'  Other  nations  can  imitate  everything  we  have,  ex- 
cept the  Prussian  lieutenant.'  The  old  gentleman 
was  right  theli.    Would  he  be  so  to-day  ?  " 

"  With  your  permission,  father " 

"  Keep  still,  my  son,"  the  old  major  laughed ;  "  you 
are  my  favorite,  my  spoiled  boy.  Would  you  assert 
seriously  that  you  are  the  kind  of  Prussian  lieutenant 
whom  Bismarck  praised?" 

"Not  exactly  that,"  Pritz  observed  evasively, 
"but " 

"  Drop  it.  Don't  defend  yourself  ally  further.  It's 
high  time  we  should  stop  talking.  I  inust  have  my 
siesta.  At  six  o'clock  I  go  to  the  '  Daeiniiierschoppen.' 
1  hope  you  come  along  ?  " 

"Why,  certainly,  papa." 

"  So  long,  then."  And  the  old  gentleman  retired 
to  his  room. 

At  supper  the  family  was  uiiited  again.  The  two 
gentlemen  had  stayed  longer  thah  usual  at  the 
"  Stammtisch."  The  men  occupying  that  table  were 
all  pensioned  officers.  Day  aftfer  day  they  talked 
about  the  army,  about  the  promotioh  of  their  former 
associates,  aiid  were  convinced  that  the  latter  by  no 
means  possessed  more  merit  than  they  themselves. 
They  would  keepi  on  talking,  arguing,  scolding.  In 
that  little  circle  the  appearance  of  Fritz  was  a  genu- 
ine sensation.    They  were  heartily  glad  to  have  with 


-■  ■.  ■:i.- ^i^ .  -- ^  -  -  - -.^■"■liiiii^ T •. I V 1  r^i J] ai'r  1«it»i'i  ma  UTi  i  iVniiT  '  i 


''Tr.  *n  r'TT*-^,- 


-.r?-:-"i.-v,  ■--'■."  -  •  r  ■■^■.rrgiy--' 


m     ,  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

them  at  table  a  real  lieutenant,  though  in  civilian 
dress.  They  suddenly  reached  the  conclusion  that 
the  usual  sour  Moselle  wine  was  no  suitable  beverage 
for  the  occasion.  So  they  ordered  a  better  brand, 
and  lingered  chatting  for  a  long  time.  The  major 
and  Fritz  were  rather  silent  during  supper.  The 
mother  told  of  the  visits  made  with  Hildegarde.  As 
she  believed  her  husband  in  his  gay  mood  would 
bear  with  more  equanimity  the  disappointment  that 
Warnow's  present  was  only  six  thousand  marks,  she 
told  him  of  it,  and  informed  him  that  she  had  had 
the  check  cashed  at  the  bank. 

"It  is  not  much,  but  it  is  something,"  said  the 
major ;  "  let  me  have  the  money." 

His  wife  objected. 

"Let  me  keep  it  till  to-morrow.  We  may  then 
consider  what  we  are  going  to  pay  with  it." 

"  To  pay !  "  Fritz  said.  "  Now  you  have  a  few 
pennies  in  your  pocket,  you  mustn't  be  so  foolish  as 
to  part  with  them  immediately.  If  you  pay  one  man, 
then  they  will  all  come,  and  the  house  will  be  over- 
run to-morrow  when  papa  celebrates  his  birthday.  Is 
anybody  foolish  enough  to  pay  his  debts  ?  " 

The  major  assefnted.  "  Fritz  is  right.  He  is  a 
very  sensible  fellow.  If  the  crowd  has  waited  so 
long  for  their  money,  they  may  well  wait  a  few 
weeks  longer,  until  Hilda  is  engaged.  Prosit, 
Hilda!" 

Fritz,  too,  raised  his  glass.  "  This  is  to  your  in- 
tended, what's  his  name? — it  don't  matter.  The 
main  thing  is  he  has  money." 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN.  175 

Hildegarde  did  not  touch  her  glass.  She  would 
have  preferred  to  leave  the  table.  She  could  not  bear 
the  majiner  in  which  they  spoke  about  her.  She  had 
to  control  herself  not  to  burst  into  tears.  If  George 
knew  how  they  drank  his  health,  how  they  only 
thought  of  his  money,  not  in  the  least  of  himself ! 

"If  you  won't  drink  with  us,  let  it  alone,"  Fritz 
said,  emptying  his  glass. 

The  major  returned  to  the  subject  of  the  money. 
"Do  you  know,  wife,  with  those  ducats  we  could 
make  a  fine  trip.  During  the  last  three  years  we 
have  never  had  a  chance  to  leave  this  miserable  place. 
We  might  set  aside  two  thousand  marks,  so  as  to 
have  something  when  we  come  back;  the  other  four 
brown  notes  we  might  take  and  go  to  Italy  for  a  few 
weeks." 

His  wife  was  greatly  tempted  to  assent  to  this 
plan ;  yet  she  said :  "  Later  on,  my  dear,  when  Hilda 
is  engaged.  You  shouldn't  forget  her  engagement 
may  take  place  any  day.  In  that  case,  we  ought  to 
be  here  on  the  spot  in  order  to  embrace  the  dear  son- 
in-law." 

"We  will  embrace  him,'  said  the  major.  "We 
will  fold  him  in  our  arms.  He  shall  be  astonished 
how  tight  we  hold  him.  Eh,  Fritz?"  Turning  to 
his  wife,  he  said:  "Just  think  of  it,  mother,  our 
Fritz,  the  loafer,  has  debts  amounting  to  forty  thou- 
sand marks."  He  could  not  stop  laughing  over  his 
son's  achievement. 

The  mother  clapped  her  hands  in  terror.  "  Fritz, 
how  is  it  possible  ?  " 


-"^r 


176  Fimt-t}LAB^  MS^. 

Hildegarde,  too,  Tfr-as  agHast;  "l^hat  dd  ydu  do 
with  all  the  money  jou  gei  fro'iii  holhe  and  iiom 
uncle?" 

"Ask  the  stars,  they  know  everything/'  Hfe  was 
about  to  sing,  but  he  could  not  catch  the  tuiie  at  the 
moment;  so  his  answer  cdlisistfed  diily  in  a  ffe#  in- 
articulate sounds. 

The  mother  was  still  unable  to  calm  hferself. 
"  That  is  terrible.  Let  lis  hope  Hildegarde's  future 
husband  will  pay  your  debts ;  but,  suppose  he  dofesn't, 
what  then?'' 

"  Then  I'll  put  a  bullet  through  my  htlad.  Biit 
he'll  pdy  up.    I'll  see  to  that." 

"  Oh,  that  you  had  chdsfen  another  calling ! "  the 
mother  wailed.  ''  For  one  without  money  it  is  worse 
than  insanity  to  become  a  lieutenant." 

"  It  is,"  Fritz  assented,  "  but  whdf  s  the  good  of 
crying  over  spilt  milk?  You  should  hMvfei  corisid- 
ered  that  before  you.  started  iile  as  &  cadet.  I  trsisn't 
even  asked  about  it." 

"  That's  right,  hear  the  fellow  bldine  iii  fbt  it/'  the 
major  laughed. 

"  Father,  I  don't  mean  that.  Ih  a  way  I  feel  iiappy 
and  at  ease  as  a  lieutenant.  I  don't  know  wliat  else 
I  should  have  become,  iut  it  has  lis  dra^^^bafeks  to 
be  a  lieutenant.  Thete  is  no  end  oi  financial  wbrries 
and  of  thfe  ever-|)rei^ent  fear  to  be  disnlissed  sooner 
than  you  expfeet.  Horrible  sensatioii !  1  caii't  under- 
stand at  all  why  fathers  let  their  sons  betbinci  dflScfeifs. 
At  least,  I  don't  understand  Why  disitiissed  d^ers 
in  particular  put  their  own  sons  iliix)  tK6  Unifdiin. 


.  .-_  -:  --..j>h4.  J.'-  ---  ...^^ 


•— --  -^  - 1  Tnlfrii'ii^yrti^ihit    i  niii 


-.Jf-TT    ^^.'      -  ~  •    -  "       '    •'rrr^v^^»-9 


FiBBT'ULASS  MSN;  m 

Th.%  *alteli  Herreii/  you,  father,  at  their  head,-  and 
all  whom  I  sdw  io-day  around  the  *  Stanmltisch/ 
gtmnble  bver  the  -v^roiig  they  suffer  by  being  retired 
so  early.  They  cdiilplaiti  that  the  army  no  longer  is 
what  it  oncfe  was.  Thfey  groan  over  the  smallness  of 
the  pension  on  which  they  have  to  rfely  for  a  living. 
They  swfear  about  the  allowance  they  have  to  make 
to  iheir  sons;  they  know  full  well  they  can't  get 
along  with  it  and  will  have  to  contract  debts.  They 
know  that  at  best  the  boy  will  only  tise  to  the  rank 
of  d,  staff  officer,  and  then  will  have  to  lead  just  such 
a  misei-able,  embittered  life  as  theirs  until  his  death. 
They  kiiow  yet  more :  how  some  accident  on  duiy,  an 
evertihg  of  gayety,  some  mad  prank,  may  put  a  stop 
to  the  boy's  career,  and,  knowing  all  that,  they  still 
let  him  become  an  officer.  If  it  happens  that  the 
boy  breaks  down  and  has  to  take  off  the  uniform, 
then  there  is  a  groaning  and  complainiilg,  aiid  the 
son  alone  is  blamed  fOr  it." 

They  do  not  all  carry  on  as  badly  as  yOtl  do,"  the 
major  Observed. 

"You  are  right  about  that,  but  I  don't  speak  of 
myself,  I  speak  of  general  conditions.  In  my  own 
regiment  we  ai*e  almost  all  sons  of  retired  officers.  I 
hear  6ften  enough  one  Or  the  other  complaining: 
*Why  didii't  iny  father  choose  for  me  some  other 
calling,  since  he  must  have  known  that  1  Can't  get 
along  with  such  it  small  allowance?'  Yes,  why  do 
the  old  Officers  continue  to  pxtt  their  sOns  into  the 
corps  in  spite  of  the  teasoh*  against  it  ?  Simply  b^- 
cau^e  the  Cadfet  fcoi-ps  mesins  little  expense,  and  so 


]• 


178  FIRST-CLASS  MEN^ 

the  education  of  the  boys  becomes  an  easy  matter 
for  the  parents.  If  the  '  alten  Herren '  would  have 
to  pay  for  each  boy  in  the  cadet  corps  four  or  five 
hundred  marks  annually,  besides  the  expense  for 
clothing,  instead  of  the  eighty  marks  they  are  called 
upon  to  pay  now,  do  you  think  they  would  still  con- 
sider it  a  matter  of  course  that  their  sons  should 
become  lieutenants?  They  wouldn't  think  of  it. 
Now  they  simply  say :  let  the  boys  grow  up  at  little 
expense;  as  for  the  rest,  we'll  see  later  on.  An  old 
uncle,  or  an  old  aunt,  is  frequently  counted  upon, 
and  if  they  should  strike  or  leave  this  world,  the  lieu- 
tenant is  in  for  it.  He  must  either  contract  debts,  or 
it  is  expected  of  him  to  live  on  air.  People  always 
talk  of  easy-going  lieutenants,  instead  of  talking  of 
easy-going  parents,  who  choose  for  their  sons  the  very 
calling  that  makes  it  impossible  for  them  to  earn 
any  money,  while  the  temptation  to  spend  it  is  the 
greatest  imaginable.  And  all  in  order  to  save  the  ex- 
pense of  an  education !  " 

"Very  true,"  said  the  father,  "but  if  an  officer 
has  no  money  to  send  his  son  to  college,  as  in  my  case, 
what  is  he  to  do  ?  " 

"Fritz  might  have  become  a  business  man,"  ob- 
served Hildegarde.  "If  a  man  has  no  money,  he 
should  choose  a  calling  where  he  can  earn  some." 

"  Very  beautiful  and  true  in  theory,"  replied  Fritz. 
"  If  many  fathers  had  such  wise  ideas  as  you,  my 
pretty  sister,  things  would  be  better  with  our  officers. 
The  first-class  men,  Caste  One,  as  father  called  us  a 
little  while  ago,  would  not  have  to  wander  around, 


FIRST-CLASS  MENi  179 

begging  and  borrowing,  trying  their  luck  in  gambling 
to  keep  their  head  above  water,  until  they  either 
make  a  rich  match  or  go  to  the  devil  somehow." 

The  major  had  listened  attentively  to  his  son.  Now 
he  said :  "  I  am  surprised  that  you,  the  son  of  an 
old  officer,  should  talk  that  way.  According  to  your 
theory,  who  should  make  up  the  gaps  in  the  ranks 
of  the  officers,  if  not  we  ?  " 

"  In  the  first  place,  only  those  who  have  the  finan- 
cial means  to  safeguard  the  future  of  their  sons. 
Only  those  should  become  officers  who  really  love  the 
service,  and  are  willing,  under  all  circumstances,  to 
make  sacrifices  and  to  suffer  for  it.  You  cannot  ask 
of  a  little  boy,  put  into  the  cadet  corps  at  eight,  that 
he  should  really  understand  what  the  love  of  a  sol- 
dier's career  means.  A  calling  should  be  chosen  only 
when  one  is  old  enough  to  have  judgment  about  it. 
Reasons  of  economy  and  the  like  should  not  decide 
the  fate  of  a  boy  put  among  the  cadets.  You  cannot 
expect  of  such  a  boy  that  he  should  become  a  model  of 
decent  living  and  be  possessed  of  a  high  sense  of 
duty.  If  I  had  anythng  to  say  about  it  I  should 
abolish  the  cadet  corps." 

"  Ho,  ho ! "  the  major  exploded,  "  you  go  a  long 
way,  better  a"nd  better ! " 

Fritz  cooly  went  on :  "A  while  ago  you  explained 
to  me  at  length  that  we  don't  learn  much  while  in 
the  corps.  Aside  from  that,  there  is  another  great 
drawback :  we  come  too  soon  into  the  army,  we  reach 
the  rank  of  officers  while  we  are  too  young.  Fre- 
quently, young  fellows  become  lieutenants  at  eighteen 


.■l,v^■  .'■ :  :^w^^^..^j:  r.^.^^.^..ij.i^t. — T^ti:-^- j>n..;^.t— :.:. .  '.. ■ ' ;^;.itjj>. 


*-»<?»<■*!"?■■  ■   "^W 


180  TIBBT'CLASS  MEN, 

or  nineteen,  suddenly  attaining  positions  such  as  nb 
other  young  men  of  their  age  occupy.  We  have  the 
handling  of  money  before  we  have  learned  how  to 
use  it  properly.  Think  df  the  life  in  the  corps :  how 
the  boys  are  watched  and  protected!  Except  in  the 
cases  of  the  select,  they  must  not  smoke,  they  must 
not  drink  beer,  they  must  not  have  leave  without 
being  especially  invited;  they  must  bring  prdcif  in 
writing  how  long  they  have  stayed  with  thfeir  rela- 
tives  " 

"That  seems  to  me  very  good,^'  observed  Hilde- 
garde. 

"Maybe  it  is  and  maybe  it  isn't.  The  transition 
later  on  to  actual  life  is  too  sharp,  tod  rapid.  TWeiity- 
f our  hours  after  leaving  the  corps,  one  is  an  ensign, 
enjoying  at  a  stroke  all  the  liberties  heretdfore  so 
strictly  withheld.  The  young  maii  can  eat  ahd  drink 
what  he  likes,  he  can  smoke,  he  can  go  out.  In  short, 
on  a  sudden,  he  can  enjoy  in  full  the  pleasures  of 
life.  No  wonder  the  pendultim  swings  violently  the 
other  way  in  the  realization  that  strict  discipline  is 
at  an  end.  The  exuberance  of  the  spirit  naturally 
leads  to  extremes.  Can  you  blame  the  yoting  ensign 
if  he  acquires  bad  habits  at  that  age?"  He  con- 
tinued: "As  a  young  lieutenant,  few  dhly  possess 
the  ehergy  to  make  a  change.  The  other  day  we 
looked  up  in  the  army  list  hdW  man^  of  dnr  bom- 
rades  of  our  own  age  who  Were  with  us  in  the  corps 
are  still  in  the  army.  We  Were  shdeked  to  find  how 
many  of  them  had  dropped  oUt,  gdtle  to  the  deVll. 
The  education  in  the  borps  is  td  bltUne  fdir  it,  nothihg 


il  |-|iri'«i»ilililMiliiiii 


--?*!,       '—      > 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  181 

else.  An  oflBcer  at  nineteen,  this  list  at  twenty-three ! 
That  happens  far  oftener  than  people  think.  It 
proves  that  in  the  corps  the  cadets  don't  even  Jearn 
the  olie  thing  they  really  ought  to  Jjnow:  to  control 
themselves,  and  later  on  to  live  as  officers  in  the 
proper  way.  Too  much  stress  is  laid  in  the  corps 
upon  the  drill,  upon  the  practise  in  arms,  upon  the 
hours  of  work,  and  such  things,  and  not  enough  on 
the  formation  of.  character.  It  is  a  sort  of  artificial 
education,  not  a  development  of  the  individual.  The 
corps  call  never  supplant  the  family  home.  What 
the  child  sees  living  with  his  parents,  what  he  hears 
and  learns  there  unconsciously,  is  a  thousand  times 
better  than  all  the  forcedjeducation  in  the  corps." 

"  But  how  would  you  change  it  ?  "  asked  the  major, 
very  much  interested  in  the  subject.  The  ladies  had 
risen  and  seated  theniselves  at  another  table,  and 
were  busied  with  needlework. 

"I  don't  know,"  said  Fritz,  "perhaps  there  is  a 
remedy.  As  I  said,  the  corps  should  be  abolished 
and  each  officer  should  pass  successfully  through  col- 
lege, as  was  formerly  the  case  in  regard  to  the  navy. 
There  might  be  an  age  limit,  say  t"\venty  years.  Then 
a  young  fellow  might  become  lieutenant  at  twenty- 
two.  That  would  be  early  enough,  and  would  do 
away  with  the  necessity  of  forever  figuring  about  the 
age  question.  The  age  limit  in  the  army  would  have 
to  cease.  To-day  the  man  who  does  not  reach  a  cer-r 
tail!  stage  at  such  and  such  an  age  has  no  chance  to 
make  a  career.  Why  should  the  army  be  kept  young 
by  forced  methods?    Hundrp48  upon  hundreds  are 


-'---'■"-■^iiii'fcriiri  if-«-^-g^j>---^^^^-- -•"-—'-"'">■' 


182  FIBST'CLASS  MM 

thrown  out  every  year  by  this  forced  process  of  re- 
juvenation. It  brings  to  the  army  a  steady  flow  of 
new  elements,  new  superiors,  new  views.  It  does  not 
make  the  education  of  the  rank  and  file  more  easy.  If 
the  young  man  is  lieutenant  at  twenty-two,  he  may 
be  captain  at  thirty-five,  major  at  forty-four,  com- 
mander of  a  regiment  at  forty-eight.  Isn't  that  early 
enough  ?  If  he  shows  extraordinary  talents  he  would 
advance  even  quicker." 

"  How  would  that  effect  the  efficiency  of  the  force 
for  service  in  the  field  ?  " 

"  You  ought  to  be  able  to  answer  that  better  than 
I,  since  you  are  retired  on  a  pension  as  an  invalid. 
Tell  me  frankly  whether  you  did  not  feel  vigorous 
and  young  enough  for  field  service  after  your  retire- 
ment, in  spite  of  your  alleged  invalidity  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure,"  the  major  replied,  "  I  should  say  so. 
The  staff  physician  fumbled  with  me  long  enough 
without  finding  any  ailment  that  would  warrant  his 
death  certificate  for  me.  At  last  I  came  to  his  assist- 
ance, naming  an  ailment  from  which  I  did  not  suffer. 
That  settled  it.  I  could  have  stood  it  easily  for 
another  five  or  ten  years.  At  the  Pension  Office  in 
any  large  city  you  might  scrutinize  the  many  officers 
appearing  there  the  first  of  every  month  to  draw  their 
pension,  their  sorry  penny,  as  they  call  it.  They  are 
all  down  in  the  list  as  invalids,  as  men  retired  be- 
cause of  advanced  age;  yet  they  are  hale  and  hearty 
physically." 

"We,  too,  say  that  to  ourselves.  At  the  Casino 
we  have  talked  about  such  matters  lately.    Of  course 


.....l. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  183 

that  leads  nowhere,  yet  it  is  interesting  to  hear  what 
the  comrades  think  about  it.  As  I  said,  we  are  agreed 
among  us  on  this  point :  Away  with  the  cadet  corps ; 
let  the  college  certificate  of  maturity  be  indispensable 
for  every  lieutenant.  Let  no  one  become  an  oflBcer 
before  the  completion  of  his  twenty-first  year.  You 
would  see  many  thiligs  change  for  the  better.  It  is 
nonsense  to  have  a  lad  of  eighteen  stand  in  the  front 
as  the  youngest  lieutenant  and  shout  at  the  big  re- 
cruits. No  wonder  the  funny  papers  make  sport  of 
us.    Such  boys  are  caricatures  in  themselves." 

There  was  a  long  pause.  The  major  had  consid- 
ered Fritz's  remarks  calmly,  and  now  said :  "  Fritz, 
in  many  respects  you  have  sensible  views." 

"  So  it  seems  to  me,"  Hildegarde  interposed,  "I 
offer  you  my  compliments,  Fritz.  Hearing  you  talk 
so  seriously  and  to  the  point,  I  did  not  recognize 
my  light-hearted  brother." 

Fritz  bowed  to  his  sister.  "  Much  obliged !  They 
say  in  the  regiment  that  I  have  lucid  moments,  but 
those  illuminations  of  my  mind  are  rare ;  my  spiritual 
darkness  disappears  only  whe"n  I  drink  copiously.  It 
is  then  that  I  begin  to  think,  because  otherwise  I 
lack  the  courage.  I  always  feel  myself  to  be  a  social 
democrat." 

"  Fritz !  that's  fine.  You,  a  lieutenant,  a  social 
democrat — that  caps  the  climax ! " 

"  Children,  calm  yourselves !  "  Fritz  begged.  "  I 
have  not  so  far  drunk  brotherhood  with  Bebel.  When 
I  say  I  am  a  social  democrat,  I  don't  mean  I  have 
signed  the  platform  of  the  party.    The  division  of  all 


^'--  — '■ 


X- 


184  FIR8T'CLA88  MEH, 

property  might  suit  me  very  well,  provided  I  came  out 
ahead.  What  I  meant  to  say  was  that  I  am  a  dis- 
gruntled noble.  That  we  all  of  us  are,  everyone  of 
us,  from  the  colonel  down  to  the  youngest  lieutenant. 
One  can't  always  express  his  sentiments  as  one  should 
like,  one  has  to  consider  the  uniform;  yet  there  is 
plenty  of  dissatisfaction,  not  only  iti  ours,  but  in  all 
the  regiments.'* 

**  It  was  different  at  my  time,"  observed  the  major. 
"  We  argued  and  found  fault,  but  otherwise " 

"Father,  it  was  different  then.  Then  there  was 
a  major's  corner,  where  people  came  to  grief  as  first 
lieutenant;  now  one  can  be  put  on  ice  and  ba  trans- 
ferred to  some  district  command  or  the  like.  For-? 
merly  it  was  a  so-called  day  of  honor,  a  festival,  if  a 
high  superior  came  to  make  an  inspection.  Now 
there  is  trembling  for  weeks  till  he  arrives,  and 
trembling  for  weeks  when  he  is  gone,  for  fear  of  dis- 
missal. Formerly  we  had  a  triennial  service  for  the 
privates.  Now  we  are  to  teach  the  men  all  they 
ought  to  know  in  two  years,  and  the  present  require- 
ments in  regard  to  the  service  and  out  of  it  are  not  to 
be  compared  with  former  decades.  As  to  money 
affairs  1  I  won't  speak  of  myself,  I'm  a  thoughtless 
dog.  No^Y"  and  then  somebody  tries  to  get  along  with 
his  allowance,  but  is  actually  prevented  by  his  su- 
periors. There  is  an  entertainment  here,  another 
there,  a  love  feast,  guest  day,  birthday  anniversary, 
garden  festival  with  ladies,  jubilee  of  the  regiment, 
leave-taking  dinner;  even  the  man  w'ho  desires  to 
live  sensibly  can't  get  away  from  the  champagne  bo^;- 


ri^i  1 1  I'fcila 


■-"—"--    [|-,f  ■MJilnir-^'-''-'-^"— ^-^   -    -'-■  .■■f-.   .■■i.,>-^..«MfcL^iSMttfcJu-.^ 


r^^ 


FIRST'CLASa  MEN  185 

tie.  He  has  to  do  as  the  others  do.  I  wonder 
whether  in  your  time  there  were  as  many  deductions 
from  the  salary  as  we  have  for  presents,  flowers, 
funds  for  the  Casino,  and  a  thousand  other  things? 
Then  the  debts  for  dress  I  I  belieye  I  owe  my  court 
tailor  alone  five  thousand  marks.  There  is  always 
something  new,  other  cloaks,  other  caps,  other  coats, 
other  buttons,  other  sashes !  So  it  goes  all  the  time. 
Who  has  to  pay  for  it  ?  The  lieutenant.  Where 
does  he  get  the  money  from?  That's  his  business. 
On  the  one  side  we  are  always  admonished  to  be 
thrifty,  not  to  spend  money.  On  the  other  we  are 
steadily  forced  into  new  expenditures.  Some  time 
that  must  change,  or  else  our  corps  of  officers  will  be 
ten  times  deeper  in  debt  ten  years  from  now  than 
they  are  to-day.  This  afternoon,  in  conversation,  you, 
father,  blamed  society  for  the  fact  that  we  live  be- 
yond our  means.  We  officers  blame  our  superiors 
for  it.  We  always  have  to  find  the  money  for  pur- 
poses of  show;  what  we  live  on  is  our  business.  If 
it  is  found  that  we  have  incurred  debts,  there  is  the 
devil  to  pay.  We  are  ordered  to  settle  everything 
inside  of  three  days,  if  possible.  On  such  occasions 
we  are  threatened  with  dismissal,  in  order  that  the 
colonel  may  not  be  dismissed  himself,  because  he  did 
not  know  how  to  guard  and  preserve  us  from  run- 
ning into  debt.  Only  recently  I  had  such  an  experi- 
ence myself.  I  owed  four  hundred  marks  at  the 
Casino,  and  had  my  choice,  either  to  pay  within 
twenty-four  hours  or  to  be  punished  with  five  days' 
confinement  to  my  quarters.    Naturally,  I  paid,  and 


J^mititimmiiiitMimiuimiiiiu^mi^i^uititSm 


"■"■.'i'^-'':''  y:^ 


186  FIB8T'CLA88  MEN 

the  colonel  was  satisfied.  It  did  not  occur  to  him  to 
inquire  where  I  got  the  money." 

"Where  did  you  get  it?" 

"Borrowed  it  of  a  Jew,  of  course.  I  am  not  a 
magician;  I  cannot  conjure  money  out  of  the  air. 
That  is  precisely  the  unreason  of  it  all.  One  is  com- 
pelled to  contract  new  debts  to  pay  off  the  old  ones 
of  which  the  commander  has  heard." 

"  Does  your  colonel  know  that  you  are  in  debt  ?  " 

"  Of  course  he  knows  it,  though  he  probably  has 
no  inkling  how  deep.  He  says  to  himself :  '  What  I 
don't  know  don't  bother  me.  I  don't  worry  about 
matters  unless  they  come  to  my  notice  officially.'  His 
own  career,  his  own  future,  are  nearer  to  his  heart 
than  mine.  It  does  not  concern  him  whether  I  am 
kicked  out  or  not;  but  if  I  go,  possibly  he  may  have 
to  go  too.  Therefore  he  closes,  not  only  both  eyes, 
but  also  both  ears.  He  wants  neither  to  see  nor  to 
hear,  because  he  knows  only  too  well  I  am  by  no 
means  the  only  one.  If  he  were  to  proceed  against 
one  he  would  have  to  do  the  same  thing  in  regard 
to  others.  He  is  mighty  careful  "not  to  do  it.  He 
wants  to  become  a  general.  Let  his  successor  estab- 
lish order  among  the  corps  of  officers." 

It  was  late  when  they  retired.  Father  and  son 
might  have  continued  the  conversation  through  the 
night,  but  the  ladies  insisted  on  making  an  end  of 
it  for  the  time.  To-morrow  was  a  festival  day, 
which  would  bring  many  calls,  may  congratulations, 
many  demands  on  physical  endurance. 

The  festival  day  did  not  begin  according  to  expecta- 


'-^"  -■  ^-    -   ■'  -I  'iiri  iiiiii'if-  -'--— ^"- -  -  -  ^-^^^...  . .  .Lii..^it»tdi^taii 


ii^itu 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  187 

tion.  It  had  become  known  that  Hildegarde  had 
'cashed  a  check  biearing  her  father's  name.  The 
news  spread  in  the  small  town  with  lightning-like 
rapidity.  Everybody  hearing  it  who  had  a  claim 
against  the  major  determined  to  call  in  the  morning 
and  ask  him  to  pay  the  bill  now  outstanding  for 
years.    Everybody  counted  on  being  the  first  caller. 

They  were  still  at  the  early  breakfast  when  the 
claimants  were  announced.  The  major  knew  what 
was  in  store  for  him.  He  cursed  and  swore  like  mad : 
"That  comes  of  you  women  folks  meddling  with 
money  matters!  How  could  you  cash  a  check  when 
anybody  stands  by  and  sees  the  transaction?  Why 
should  there  have  been  a  check?  Couldn't  Warnow 
have  sent  the  paltry  few  thousand  marks  in  cash? 
Theli  nobody  would  have  known  anything  about  it. 
Now  I  have  to  let  them  clean  me  out.  But  I  won't 
think  of  it !  "  he  burst  out  suddenly,  "  I  won't  think 
of  it!  To  have  my  birthday  spoiled  by  that  im- 
pudent crowd.  I'll  kick  the  whole  caboodle  into  the 
street." 

"  Won't  you  let  me  talk  to  the  people  ? "  Fritz 
asked.  "I  have  practise  in  such  things,  I  under- 
stand how  to  handle  them.  Nobody  ever  got  anything 
out  of  me.  I  can't  understand,  papa,  why  you  should 
get  excited  over  such  a  trifle.    Just  leave  it  to  me." 

He  started  to  go  out,  wheli  his  mother  restrained 
him.  "  That  won't  do,  Fritz ;  you  don't  know  how 
often  the  sheriff  has  been  here.  So  far  he  has  only 
sealed  a  part  of  our  fiirniture,  but  did  ijot  actually 
levy  on  it.    Now,  if  the  people  know  that  we  have 


^"'^ ■■'■-^■'■'^■''■■■-  ~i-  ...^..^^.:^.,  .^.:^.-^..:.^^^^i  .■i^r.,:^^^^j^^iL„^^..,s^   .  ■■■...     ^ii..Aa-.^.^«irfl 


188  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

money,  he  will  have  to  levy.  He  has  told  ua  so  him- 
self. We  don't  want  papa  to  go  through  that  experi- 
elice  to-day.'* 

"  No,  not  that."  Fritz  had  grown  very  serious,  and 
involuntarily  looked  around  for  the  sheriff's  seals. 

"  He  only  sealed  pieces  where  you  don't  see  it,"  the 
mother  whispered  to  her  son,  "  the  carpets,  the  piano, 
the  bookcase,  the  pictures,  in  short,  all  the  things  on 
the  walls.    Oh,  it  is  terrible !  "    She  began  to  cry. 

"  Now  you  must  whimper,"  the  major  burst  out. 
"Formerly  there  was  a  serenade  to  celebrate  my 
birthday.  Now,  when  I  have  grown  gray  and  old,  my 
wife  begins  to  cry  because  there  is  no  money,  while 
the  creditors  wait  outside.  So  it  is  for  this  I  have 
lived  to  the  age  of  sixty,  to  celebrate  the  day  in  this 
fashion  ?  " 

He  walked  up  and  down  the  room,  cursing,  and 
listening  to  the  voices  of  the  people  who  stood  out- 
side in  the  hall  waiting  for  him. 

Suddenly  he  stopped  in  front  of  Hildegarde,  put 
his  hand  upon  her  shoulder  and  said :  "  Well,  Hilda, 
you  perceive  we  really  can't  wait  much  longer  for 
your  intended.  Bring  him  to  us  soon,  before  it  is  too 
late,  before  the  crowd  here  has  taken  everything  away 
from  me;  before  they  sell  off  our  furniture;  before 
your  mother  and  I  are  thrown  into  the  street." 

There  was  so  much  bitterness  in  his  words,  such  a 
despondency,  that  Hildegarde  at  this  moment  could 
not  think  of  herself,  but  only  of  her  parents,  though 
she  was  treated  simply  as  an  anchor  to  windward. 
She,  too,  burst  out  crying. 


ai>r'jM;hfHTr  ■■  i  iiniiMirrrirrf.i-iril 


FIBST-CLA88  MEN  189 

"  Number  two,"  the  major  scolded,  "  that's  right." 
"Don't  be  unjust,  father,"  Fritz  begged;  "you 
can't  blame  mother  and  Hildegarde  for  being  sad. 
The  matter  is  more  than  disagreeable  to  me  also." 

"  The'n  you,  too,  may  begin  to  howl,"  the  old  man 
cursed,  the  veins  on  his  forehead  swelling. 

"  I  don't  mean  to.  What  I  am  thinking  is  how  the 
people  may  be  satisfied.  I  did  not  know  the  seals 
were  put  on  your  things.  You  should  not  have  kept 
that  from  me." 

After  a  moment  he  inquired :  "  For  what  sum  are 
the  seals  put  on  ?  " 

"  For  a  paltry  two  thousand  marks." 
"  That  will  have  to  be  paid  off  to-day." 
"  I  don't  think  of  it,  the  seals  don't  trouble  me." 
"  The  two  thousand  marks  will  have  to  be  paid  off 
for  all  that,"  Fritz  continued,  with  decision.     "If 
you  don't  pay  them,  I  will.    I  have  won  a  few  thou- 
sand at  play  and  I  will  make  you  a  present  of  the 
two  thousand."     The  major  looked  at  his  eon  in 
astonishment. 
"  What  prompts  this  magnanimity  in  you  ?  " 
"Eegard  for  myself  and  for  Hildegarde.     It  is 
just  possible  my  regiment  might  get  an  inkling  of 
how  things  stand  with  you  here.    That  would  under- 
mine not  only  my  position,  but  my  credit.    It  might 
have  for  me  consequences  neither  you  nor  I  would 
Hke.     You  must  also  think  of  Hildegarde.     Just 
imagine  her  intended  paying  you  a  visit  within  the 
next  few  weeks,  possibly  the  next  few  days.    Suppose, 
through  some  unfortunate  coincidence,  he  noticed 


-ii..ii:.jja>itai^u.t..«.i; —■■■■■— ■.^-:..^-<..->  ...u.:'^:,.  .  ^  ■^.>~-J^>--fn.--;i;tmii:«^j<jL,^  .  ■.  -iiait'ririrfi"  i  .-fii'l 


"I  -V-'-.-     y<7S''_lfl"W,"":'W 


190  FIRST-CLASS  MEN. 

the  seals.  In  that  ease  the  man  would  have  to  be  a 
downright  idiot  if  his  eyes  were  not  opened  to  the 
fact  that  he  is  only  married  for  his  money.  Such  en- 
lightenment before  the  wedding  must  be  prevented 
at  all  hazards.    If  you  don't  see  to  it,  I  will." 

The  major  had  dropped  into  a  chair,  where  he  sat 
in  a  brown  study.  The  two  women  were  crying 
softly. 

Fritz  had  risen  and  turned  to  his  mother.  "  I  am 
going  to  talk  with  the  people.  Give  me  the  six  thou- 
sand marks." 

"Oh,  the  money!"  the  major  groaned.  For  the 
first  time  in  a  long  while  he  had  slept  through  the 
whole  night,  his  cares  not  keeping  him  awake  a  single 
moment.  The  sensation  of  having  six  thousand  marks 
cash  in  the  house  had  filled  him  with  a  great  joy  and 
given  him  a  feeling  of  safety.  Now  people  were 
standing  outside  to  take  that  money  away. 

"  Fritz,"  he  turned  to  his  son,  "  promise  me  to 
haggle  with  the  crowd  as  much  as  ever  you  can. 
Don't  give  away  every  cent,  or  else  we  shall  have  no 
money  in  the  house." 

"  With  my  housekeeping  allowance  I  can  get  along 
until  the  first,"  the  mother  observed,  "  I  still  have  a 
hundred  marks." 

"  I  can  give  you  another  hundred  marks,  mamma," 
said  Hildegarde.  "  Aunt  has  provided  me  with  ample 
money  for  travelling  expenses." 

"  I  will  add  another  hundred  marks,"  said  Fritz. 
He  had  no  family  attachment  whatever ;  but  the  dis- 
tress which  had  invaded  the  place  seemed  to  him  most 


■u^:jA.=mLU.  i^u 


...w :•■.:. w.^. ,.    ■>-■>■■. 


r 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN.-  191 

unsuitable  for  their  station.  A  man  must  lend  a 
helping  hand  to  his  family  in  order  not  to  be  looked 
upon  as  a  beggar's  son. 

Before  opening  the  door  Fritz  turned  around. 
"  Papa,  you  want  me  to  talk  to  the  people,  or  would 
you  rather  go  yourself *' 

But  the  major  declined.  "  Better  you  go ;  I  should 
grow  angry.    You  better  see  what  you  can  do." 

Fritz  went  into  the  adjoining  room  and  made  all 
those  who  stood  outside  enter  together.  They  were 
craftsmen  and  shopkeepers.  They  knew  Fritz  per- 
sonally, greeted  him  with  great  friendliness,  and 
were  modest  in  their  demeanor. 

In  the  regiment  Fritz  was  known  as  proud  and  su- 
percilious; but  he  could  be  extremely  amiable  if  he 
wished  to  flatter  anybody.  Now  he  shook  hands  all 
around,  inquired  after  everybody's  family  and  cracked 
a  joke  or  two.  Thus  his  little  game  was  already  half- 
won  when  he  began :  "  My  father  is  not  feeling  well 
to-day,  and  therefore  asked  me  to  speak  to  you  and  to 
pay  his  bills  as  far  as  he  is  able.  A  good  many  of 
you  are  now  here  together,  but  we'll  come  to  some 
understanding.  Of  course  we  can't  pay  everything 
at  once.  You  know  how,  through  the  failure  of 
his  bank,  my  father  lost  the  larger  part  of  his  for- 
tune," he  prevaricated  unblushingly,  "but  within 
the  next  few  months  we  shall  secure  a  large  sum  from 
our  family  endowment,  and  then  everybody  will  be 
paid  to  the  last  cent.  What  we  can  give  to-day  is  a 
payment  on  account.  I  feel  sure  that  will  be  satis- 
factory to  all  of  you.    As  you  know,  my  father  cele- 


»MiiiiiirtfMii«iiaBniiii"'N""   i"'"  "  "    rjtaaMyiaiiiii 


193  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

brates  his  sixtieth  birthday.  You  would  not  spoil 
the  day  which  he  desires  to  celebrate  with  his  wife 
and  his  children  ?  " 

No,  they  didn't  wish  to  do  that.  They  knew  very 
well  they  would  get  their  money  in  the  end ;  but  they 
had  heard  the  major  had  received  a  large  sum  yester- 
day, and  so  they  wanted  a  little  of  it  themselves. 

Fritz  was  overjoyed  at  these  words.  Evidently 
those  people  were  far  more  reasonable  and  decent 
than  he  expected.  So  he  made  the  mental  reservation 
of  saving  at  least  a  one-thousand-mark  note  for  his' 
parents.  These  creditors  would  be  more  than  satis- 
fied if  he  divided  the  five  thousand  marks  in  cash 
among  them. 

He  made  them  hand  him  their  bills.  A  satisfied 
smile  played  around  his  mouth  when  he  added  the 
sum  total ;  all  in  all  it  amounted  to  only  ten  thousand 
marks.  "  I  shall  save  my  thousand,"  he  thought. 
Then  he  took  up  the  claimants  one  by  one,  talking 
earnestly  to  each.  Finally  his  plan  was  successful. 
They  all  were  content  to  receive  about  one-half  their 
claims,  and  to  wait  with  the  rest  for  another  three 
months. 

It  took  Fritz  fully  an  hour  to  finish  with  them  and 
to  obtain  from  each  a  written  consent  not  to  urge 
payment  for  the  next  few  months,  nor  to  send  any 
bills.  In  order  to  keep  the  people  in  good  humor 
while  they  were  waiting  he  offered  them  wine  and 
cigars.  They  drank  the  wine,  touching  glasses  with 
the  son  to  the  health  of  the  father,  but  they  did  not 


FIB8T'CLA88  ME3.  193 

dare  to  smoke  in  the  presence  of  the  Herr  Lieutenant 
and  in  the  room  of  the  Herr  Major. 

At  last  they  started  to  go.  Again  Fritz  had  a 
handshake  and  a  friendly  word  for  everybody,  and 
they  parted  as  good  friends.  Their  laughter  as  they 
left  could  be  heard  in  the  breakfast  room,  where  the 
.  rest  of  the  family  waited  for  the  outcome  of  the  nego- 
tiations. 

Fritz  returned,  beaming  with  joy,  and  put  a  thou- 
sand marks  upon  the  table.  "  I  have  saved  this.  For 
the  time  being  they  are  all  satisfied,  and  will  give 
you  a  rest  for  the  next  three  months.  Then  Hilde- 
garde  will  be  married.  Once  she  is  engaged  I  shall 
be  able  to  raise  that  trifling  amount  for  you;  I  have 
achieved  far  more  diflScult  things.  I  should  like  to 
know  one  thing,  papa;  those  few  debts,  altogether 
about  ten  thousand  marks,  could  not  rob  you  of  your 
night's  rest.  I  thought  you  owed  at  least  seventy  or 
eighty  thousand  marks." 

"  I  do,  perhaps  even  more.  I  never  had  the  cour- 
age to  add  it  up." 

"  Little  use  in  doing  that,  if  one  cati't  pay,"  Fritz 
observed,  indifferently.  Then,  partly  from  curiosity 
and  partly  because  of  genuine  interest,  he  inquired, 
"  To  whom  else  do  you  owe,  papa  ?  " 

''All  over.  The  bills  are  something  tremendous, 
partly  of  many  years'  standing." 

"  Then  a  good  many  of  them  must  be  outlawed." 

"  Fritz !  "  protested  Hildegarde,  "  the  people  must 
get  their  money." 

"Easily  said,"  observed  the  major,  "but  where 


'Jhta.\  «a -■* ■•  ,  M  I  fii  /  A^ :  - -^.  ^'.  It  T  iV      ,  tijtAi >,  T  I  •1(*,m  f  ll'i 


T'-' 


■■'?,•■?««■«"■-■"■' 


194  FIRST-CLASS   MEN 


from  ?  I  haven't  anything,  at  least  not  for  the  time 
being." 

"Do  you  owe  on  promissory  notes?"  Fritz 
inquired.  "You  must  not  take  my  question  amiss, 
but  since  I  am  acting  to-day,  as  it  were,  as  the  ad- 
ministrator of  your  finances,  I  should  like  to  get  a 
clear  idea  of  your  cotidition." 

"  No,"  the  father  assured  him,  "  no  notes  of  mine 
circulate,  but  I  owe  to  all  my  acquaintances;  to  the 
one  five,  to  the  other  three,  to  the  other  one  thousand 
marks,  and  so  on." 

"  Oh,  you  shouldn't  worry  about  that,  papa.  If 
anybody  assists  a  friend  in  distress,  he  knows  full 
well  that  in  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  cases  out 
of  a  thousand  he  won't  get  his  money  back.  I  can't 
see  why  you  should  be  a  laudable  exception.  Who- 
ever lends  you  such  a  sum  realizes  from  the  begin- 
ning that  he'll  never  see  the  money  again." 

"  That  may  be,"  the  old  major  said ;  "  but,  after 
all,  the  people  only  gave  me  the  money  because  I  told 
them  of  Hildegarde's  coming  engagement." 

"  Papa !  "  exclaimed  Hildegarde.  A  hot  flush  rose 
to  her  face ;  she  felt  deeply  indignant.  "  So  it  has 
come  to  that ! "  Not  only  do  you  think  and  talk 
among  yourselves  of  nothing  but  my  possible  engage- 
ment, you  even  tell  other  people  about  it,  in  order  to 
obtain  credit." 

Her  mother  laid  her  hand  upon  the  daughter's 
shoulder  to  calm  her.  "  Dear  Hildegarde,  you 
shouldn't  look  at  it  in  that  way.  The  people  to  whom 
we  talked  are  intimate  acquaintances." 


FIRST- CLASS  MEN  195 

The  major,  too,  endeavored  to  calm  his  daughter; 
but  Hildegarde  was  inaccessible  to  any  such  reason- 
ing. "I  simply  can't  show  myself  any  more  in  the 
street.  You  have  made  me  positively  impossible  here. 
Now  I  understand  the  hints  thrown  out  yesterday  by 
the  friends  of  mamma,  when  they  inquired  so  assidu- 
ously how  I  was.  To-morrow  I  leave;  I  shan't  stay 
here  another  day."  Bursting  into  tears,  she  left  the 
room. 

"  That's  a  charming  birthday  celebration,"  the 
major  swore  under  his  breath,  slamming  his  fist  on 
the  table. 

"  Hildegarde  will  calm  down  by-and-by,"  said 
Fritz.  "  She  is  a  sensible  gir'l,  only  the  money 
affairs  caused  her  some  irritation.  By  noon  she  will 
be  the  same  as  ever.  I  think  I  shall  arrange  the 
affair  with  the  sheriff,  else  I  shouldn"'t  enjoy  the 
champagne  later  on." 

Though  in  the  afternoon  the  seals  were  removed 
from  the  furniture,  the  champagne  did  not  taste 
good.  The  household  was  in  a  dreary  mood.  When 
the  major  retired  he  owned  to  himself  that  he  had 
never  celebrated  so  dismal  a  birthday  as  that  of  his 
sixtieth  year. 


...a^t-...'-.^..-.;..      j-j      :■  -,'_..:^.   ^■^,.        .:.A :.--i.-     ...-  -.i..l--..:-':^«£.i^i— ^,,^;:.^.^^'.  ■-   .J^.'.n..^  .-.      ,..:,-;•  ■■J.iaimaj^.l^x 


VIII 

Little  Willberg  had  shot  himself. 

The  regiment  mourned  the  loss  of  the  comrade 
who  had  been  everybody's  favorite.  Yet  they  could 
not  forgive  him  that  he  had  not  quitted  the  army 
before  leaving  life.  Twenty-four  hours,  more  or 
less,  could  not  have  mattered  much.  His  dismissal 
could  have  been  obtained  within  that  time.  They 
could  not  understand  why  he  should  not  have  showed 
regard  for  his  regiment,  which  he  loved,  and  of  which 
he  was  proud.  What  one  officer  does  always  reflects 
upon  the  whole  of  the  corps.  Willberg  should  have 
realized  that;  he  should  have  considered  that  his 
suicide  would  cause  no  end  of  trouble  to  his  regiment. 

Such  was  the  general  view.  How  correct  this  was 
seemed  to  be  proven  by  the  fact  that  the  newspapers 
of  the  capital  occupied  themselves  minutely  with  little 
Willberg's  death.  An  effort  had  been  made  to  hush 
up  the  story.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  commander, 
the  aide-de-camp,  Count  Wettborn,  had  paid  a  visit  to 
all  the  papers,  begging  them  not  to  publish  anything 
about  the  sad  case.  Only  to  the  two  social  democratic 
papers  the  Count  did  not  go ;  he  could  not  bring  him- 
self to  such  a  step.  Those  papers  published  day  after 
day  new  disclosures  about  the  life  of  the  suicide. 
More  than  the  officers  had  anticipated  came  to  light. 
The  Yellow  Butterflies  were  indignant  to  see  pub- 


FIBST'CLASS  MBN  197 

lished  broadcast  all  those  things  which,  accord- 
ing to  their  own  idea,  did  not  concern  anybody.  The 
worst  of  it  was  that  people  drew  from  the  life  of  the 
dead  conclusions  by  no  means  flattering  to  the  spirit 
and  conduct  of  the  regiment. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies  were  beside  themselves. 
That  such  a  thing  should  happen  to  them  who  had 
been  so  aristocratic,  who  had  enjoyed  the  reputation 
of  being  one  of  the  most  feudal  infantry  regiments ! 
That  it  should  be  a  scion  of  the  oldest  nobility  who 
furnished  cause  for  such  judgments!  To  the  news- 
papers this  was  a  welcome  opening  for  renewed  at- 
tacks upon  nobility,  for  demonstrations  that  the 
people  of  blue  blood  were  not  a  whit  better  or  more 
decent  than  those  who  had  to  be  satisfied  with 
ordinary  red  blood. 

What  made  matters  still  more  unpleasant  was  the 
fact  that  the  reports  were  apparently  true.  Willberg 
had  gone  very  far  and  been  implicated  in  affairs  by 
no  means  clean.  Much  cropped  out  of  which  the 
comrades  had  had  no  inkling.  The  commander  was 
in  an  uninterrupted  state  of  profanity.  The  first 
day  aifter  the  suiicide  the  regimental  bureau  was 
stormed  by  people  who  had  claims  against  Willberg 
and  were  seeking  advice  as  to  where  those  claims 
could  be  presented  and  paid.  During  the  following 
days,  when  people  were  no  longer  admitted,  no  end 
of  letters  came,  showing  more  or  less  dirty  episodes 
in  Willberg's  life. 

That  it  should  be  one  of  the  nobility  who  caused 
the  regiment  their  shame  and  humiliation !   Nobody 


iikteiHiifai4uAi«£ 


^JLrrJ^w^  : 


198  FIRST-CLASS  MEN; 

said  outright,  but  they  all  thought:  If  cnly  Winkler 
had  shot  himself  instead  of  little  Willberg,  what  a 
fine  position  they  would  occupy.  Then  they  could 
throw  out  their  chests  and  exclaim  with  pride :  "  See, 
we  of  the  nobility  are  so  much  better ! "  Yet  it  was 
the  nobleman  who  was  dead,  and  the  "Buerger- 
licher"  who  was  alive. 

Nobody  among  the  Yellow  Butterflies  knew  what 
drove  Willberg  so  suddenly  to  his  death.  He  left  no 
letter,  not  a  line,  furnishing  the  least  explanation. 
Naturally  the  commander  inquired  of  the  comrades 
whether  any  of  them  could  throw  light  upon  the 
affair.  The  Yellow  Butterflies  could  only  look  at 
each  other  and  shrug  their  shoulders.  They  knew 
little  Willberg  had  gambled  and  lost;  but  such  a 
thing  had  happened  often.  If  he  didn't  shoot  him- 
self before  for  this  reason,  why  should  he  do  it  this 
time?  This  view  was  strengthened  by  the  fact  that 
the  Uhlan  stated  upon  inquiry  that  Willberg  had  paid 
his  gambling  debt  to  him  before  he  died.  This  state- 
melit  was  not  in  accord  with  truth.  On  the  contrary, 
the  Uhlan  had  earnestly  reminded  Willberg  that  the 
time  for  discharging  his  debt  had  expired.  He  had 
admonished  him  that  one  could  never  be  too  correct 
in  the  regulation  of  such  affairs  which  were  con- 
sidered debts  of  honor.  Thereupon  Willberg  had 
shot  himself.  The  Uhlan,  though  he  felt  no  remorse 
for  having  driven  his  comrade  to  suicide,  was  not 
anxious  for  his  oWn  sake  that  the  truth  should  come 
out. 

The  day  after  the  funeral  it  occurred  to  the  regi- 


■.,.  •,-~Ai-i_'iw...» 


. r-w 'e.:^mi'^\^.MS^^ w^t.r:k»-,|    iiiiiafcimilitri  iiii  i 


FIRST-GLASS  MEN  199 

mental  aide-de-camp  to  question  Willberg's  orderly 
and  to  see  whether  he  could  not  furnish  some  infor- 
mation. But  the  man  knew  nothing,  though  he  was 
put  through  a  regular  inquisition.  At  last  he  seemed 
to  remember.  "  One  evening  I  went  with  a  letter  to 
Herr  Lieutenant  Winkler.  My  lieutenant  was  wait- 
ing at  home  for  an  answer,  and  when  it  came  he  was 
more  excited  than  I  have  ever  seen  him.  I  heard  him 
walk  up  and  down  for  hours,  and  when  I  wanted  to 
wake  him  up  the  next  morning,  he  had  not  been  in 
his  bed  at  all,  but  was  lying  asleep  on  the  sofa." 

"  You  probably  don't  know  what  was  contained  in 
the  letter  you  took  to  Lieutenant  Winkler  ?  " 

The  fellow  didn't  know.  They  let  him  go,  and  the 
aide-de-camp  told  his  commander  what  he  had 
learned.  Upon  receiving  this  news,  the  colonel  paced 
up  and  down  excitedly.  "How  long  is  Lieutenant 
Winkler  still  on  furlough?" 

The  Coulit  looked  up  the  record.  "He  will  have 
to  report  to-morrow  noon." 

"  So  much  the  better.  Otherwise  I  should  have 
him  recalled  by  wire.  I  want  to  see  him  to-morrow 
by  all  means.  The  higher  authorities  demand  a  full 
report  about  Willberg's  death.  Until  now  I  have 
been  faced  by  a  puzzle.  Possibly  some  light  may  be 
thrown  upon  the  case  through  Winkler." 

George  read  in  Paris  of  Winkler's  death.  Though 
tiie  news  shocked  him  at  first,  it  could  not  make  him 
sad.  During  these  last  days  he  had  thanked  Olga 
almost  every  hour  because  she  had  persuaded  him  to 
make  the  trip.    He  did  not  deceive  himself  into  be- 


yftll"'T"ilirr-"-  '-^--  ■  >"'^—  - 


200  FIRST-CLASS   MEN 

lieving  that  he  could  have  been  able  to  face  Willberg 
calmly.  So  he  felt  relieved  when  he  learned  of  his 
death.  He  almost  thanked  heaven  for  sparing  him 
a  meeting  with  him.  Of  course  it  seemed  sad  that 
Willberg  should  die  so  young,  but  his  death  meant 
no  loss  for  the  army  and  for  the  corps  of  officers.  He 
had  dreaded  meeting  him  again.  Now  he  returned 
to  his  garrison  in  a  sere"ne  and  cheerful  mood.  Two 
delicious  weeks  lay  behind  him.  Olga  and  he  had 
enjoyed  life  in  the  beautiful  city  in  full.  The  fur- 
lough had  been  a  real  recreation,  and  he  was  rejoiced 
to  return  to  Ids  work  and  to  his  people. 

"  The  colonel  desires  to  speak  to  the  lieutenant  to- 
morrow morning  at  eleven  o'clock  at  the  office  of  the 
regiment," 

That  was  the  notice  George  found  on  coming  home. 
For  a  moment  he  felt  a  little  embarrassed.  Was  it 
possible  the  commander  had  learned  that  he  had 
been  to  Paris  without  having  leave  to  cross  the  bound- 

if 

ary  lines?  Well,  the  penalty  for  such  an  offence  was 
not  so  very  heavy,  at  the  worst  a  few  days'  confine- 
ment to  your  room.  That  shouldn't  spoil  the  memory 
of  the  holiday. 

The  first  words  the  colonel  addressed  to  him  in  the 
morning  dispelled  his  fears  in  that  regard.  The 
colonel  inquired  how  he  had  liked  the  Riviera,  and 
immediately  entered  upon  the  main  point  on  his 
mind.  He  stated  what  Willberg's  former  orderly  had 
said,  and  asked  George  what  he  knew  about  it.  "  It 
seems  to  me  important  to  know  what  was  contained 


f.l  .  .  v..,,.':^^:..liaiaiai<fiitailjai 


FIBST-CLASS   ME3  201 

in  the  letter  Willberg  sent  you.  Can  and  will  you 
inform  me  on  that  point  ?  " 

George  reflected  for  a  moment,  and  then  said: 
"  Since  I  am  not  explicitly  pledged  to  silence,  I  be- 
lieve I  am  guilty  of  no  indiscretion  in  replying  to 
your  inquiry." 

"Have  you  still  Willberg's  letter?" 

"  I  have  not,  Colonel,  but  I  recollect  its  contents. 
Herr  von  Willberg  wrote  me  he  had  gambled  and 
needed  five  thousand  marks  to  discharge  a  debt  of 
honor.  If  he  didn't  get  the  money,  he  would  have 
to  resort  to  the  pistol  to  restore  his  honor." 

"  That  d gambling !  "  the  colonel  swore.    "  If 

it  only  could  be  eradicated  once  for  all,  root  and 
branch."  After  a  moment  he  inquired:  "Did  you 
give  him  the  money  ?  " 

"  No,  colonel." 

"  The  gambling  debt  is  paid,"  Count  Wettborn  in- 
terposed. "  The  colonel  needn't  be  concerned  about 
that." 

The  commander  felt  greatly  relieved.  "I'm  glad 
to  hear  it."  Turning  again  to  George :  "  So  you 
didn't  give  him  the  money  ?  May  one  know  why  not  ? 
Please  understand  me.  Whether  you  were  willing  ta 
lend  Willberg  the  amount  or  not,  was  of  course  en- 
tirely your  own  affair.  What  I  mean  is,  were  you  pos- 
sibly unable  to  let  him  have  the  money,  or  did  you 
not  take  his  threat  to  commit  suicide  seriously  ?  " 

"I  must  own  to  you.  Colonel,  I  didn't  reflect  at 
all  on  that  point.  I  was  about  coming  to  Herr  von 
Willberg's  assistance,  when  I  learned  about  him  facts 


.J::.;.::^. 


._-*1  JS  i^» 


o  -•■■'I—  .» 


202  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 


which  made  it  imposible  for  me  to  carry  out  my 
purpose." 

"  What  was  it  ?  "  The  colonel  and  Count  Wettborn 
looked  at  George  with  intense  interest. 

"  I  can  only  answer  in  a  general  way,  because  I  am 
pledged  to  secrecy." 

"Pledged  to  the  dead?" 

"  No,  to  a  living  person,  the  same  to  whom  I  owe 
my  information."  After  a  pause  he  went  on :  "  When 
I  was  about  to  send  to  Herr  von  Willberg  the  money 
he  asked,  I  learned  by  accident  of  his  behavior  toward 
a  young  lady  very  near  to  me.  He  had  behaved 
toward  her  in  such  a  manner  that  any  court  of  honor 
upon  learning  the  facts  of  the  case  would  have  been 
obliged  to  decree  his  dismissal  from  the  army  in 
disgrace.  From  that  moment  I  was  no  longer  able  to 
see  in  Herr  von  Willberg  a  cavalier  and  a  man  of 
honor,  and  I  will  assist  only  such." 

The  colonel  was  all  ears  for  what  George  had  to 
say.  The  affair  was  most  disagreeable.  Nobody 
could  tell  what  else  would  come  to  light.  He  would 
have  preferred  not  to  inquire  further.  But  that 
would  Hot  answer.  He  said :  "  You  know  it  is  your 
duty  to  report  to  the  council  of  honor  dishonorable 
actions  of  a  comrade  coming  to  your  knowledge." 

"  Certainly,  Colonel.  Most  decidedly  I  should  have 
done  so,  had  I  not  been  obliged  to  regard  the  inter- 
ests of  the  young  lady  who  would  have  been  seriously 
compromised  by  my  report  to  the  council  of  honor. 
I  did  not  believe  I  could  assume  that  responsibility. 
On  the  other  hand,  being  myself  connected  with  the 


aoiuJiiiUtaMM 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  203 

regiment  for  a  comparatively  short  time  only,  I  did 
not  wish  to  be  the  cause  of  an  investigation  against 
a  comrade  universally  liked.  So  I  preferred  to  keep 
silence  at  least  for  the  time.  In  order  to  consider 
calmly  whether  I  could  justify  my  silence  before  my- 
self and  the  corps  of  officers,  I  went  on  furlough. 
Another  reason  for  my  going  was  that  I  wished  to 
avoid  a  meeting  with  Herr  von  Willberg  in  the  ex- 
cited state  in  which  I  found  myself.  Though  I  can 
control  myself  pretty  well,  a  quarrel  between  me  and 
the  dead  would  have  resulted,  and  a  duel  would  have 
deemed  Herr  von  Willberg  still  capable  of  entering 
an  honorable  combat." 

"  Lieutenant  Winkler ! "  the  colonel  broke  out 
aghast.  "  An  officer  of  my  regiment,  a  member  of  an 
ancient  noble  family,  not  capable  of  entering  an 
honorable  combat !  Pray  consider  what  you  are  say- 
ing." 

"  I  do.  Colonel ;  it  is  not  easy  for  me  to  make  such 
an  accusation  against  a  dead  man  who  cannot  defend 
himself." 

"Then  why  do  you  do  it?" 

"  In  order  to  prove  to  the  Colonel  that  as  a  decent 
man,  I  could  do  nothing  else  but  refuse  the  money 
to  Herr  von  Willberg." 

That  sounded  so  calm,  so  firm  and  distinct,  so 
candid  and  honest,  that  the  commander  rose  and 
shook  hands  with  George.  "  I  "not  only  believe  that, 
but  I  am  absolutely  satisfied  of  it.  As  far  as  I  can 
judge,  you  have  acted  properly  throughout.  I  thank 
you  for  not  having  reported  hastily  to  the  council  of 


..<;w--^ ..:'-., -1  .-..^  .  VtiiiS^  r^-.^^if  ii»iiiiriii1iriiifliM'«iili-iihi^ititB^Ainnr^^^  HiVr  nil      '.-.•.m^.it^LiM.  jL-jiMitiiitii 


204  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

honor.  An  investigation  of  the  council  of  honor 
directed  against  a  comrade  is  never  a  pleasant  thing, 
much  less  so  in  a  case  such  as  this,  likely  to  stir  up  a 
great  deal  of  mud." 

"  A  great  deal,"  George  confirmed,  "  more  than  one 
would  have  thought  possible." 

"Then  we'd  better  let  the  matter  rest,"  the  com- 
mander decided.  "Willberg  has  expiated  his  guilt 
with  his  death,  you  are  pledged  to  secrecy,  let  the 
secret  remain  between  the  two  of  you." 

After  a  few  more  questions,  the  colonel  dismissed 
George,  and  turned  to  his  aide-de-camp:  "Dear 
Count,  what  do  you  think  of  it  ?  " 

Count  Wettborn  deliberately  polished  his  monocle, 
then  said :  "  I  can't  help  it,  dear  Colonel,  but  I  find 
Winkler  has  behaved  blamelessly  during  the  whole 
affair." 

"Entirely  my  own  view.  It's  very  fortunate, 
though,  that  he  must  not  speak.  The  less  said  about 
the  dead,  the  better.  I  almost  hear  in  advance  the 
queries  of  the  Brigade  and  Division,  how  Willberg 
could  lead  such  a  life  without  my  knowing  it.  Be 
careful,  under  certain  conditions  this  affair  might 
break  both  of  us,  for  you  would  be  reproached  with 
not  keeping  me  informed  about  the  doings  of  the 
officers,  particularly  in  so  far  as  Willberg's  actions 
were  concerned.  I  can't  busy  myself  with  every  in- 
dividual lieutenant,  I  can't  watch  each  separately  as 
to  whether  he  lives  within  his  means  or  not.  That's 
what  you're  here  for,  dear  Count,  it  is  for  you  to 
caution  the  younger  comrades  if  they  are  too  easy- 


-     '  FIRST-CLASS   MEN  205 

going.  When  you  see  that  your  words  are  of  no 
avail,  then  you  have  to  report  to  me,  so  that  I  may 
take  steps  against  the  gentlemen  in  question." 

The  colonel  was  much  excited.  He  was  seriously 
afraid  of  being  dismissed  from  the  army.  When  the 
papers  published  the  sensational  article  about  little 
Willberg,  he  had  been  commanded  to  report  to  His 
Majesty.  His  Majesty  had  been  so  ungracious  that 
the  colonel  felt  very  uncomfortable  indeed.  His 
Majesty  had  said  in  plain  words :  "  I  must  hold  my 
regimental  commanders  responsible  for  the  behavior 
of  their  officers.  If  such  affairs  as  this  take  place, 
it  is  not  only  a  disgrace  to  the  regiment,  which  has 
always  enjoyed  my  special  good  will  and  favor,  it  is 
a  disgrace  to  the  whole  army." 

The  colonel  could  only  offer  the  excuse  that  little 
Willberg  had  always  been  able  to  deceive  not  only 
him  but  the  whole  body  of  officers.  To  some  extent 
that  assuaged  His  Majesty's  anger.  "  But  the  affair 
is  a  scandal  for  all  that."  The  commander  had  been 
dismissed  ungraciously,  and  still  trembled  for  his 
career.  The  aide-de-camp  succeeded  in  calming  hinu 
If  the  colonel  was  to  be  dismissed,  it  would  have  been 
done  by  this  time.  Since  the  commander  had  already 
reported  to  His  Majesty,  it  was  now  entirely  incon- 
sequential what  the  Brigade  and  the  Division  would 
say.  No  harm  would  come  to  the  colonel  nor  to  him- 
self. He  personally  could  not  be  held  responsible 
in  any  way.  Yet  he  was  glad  that  George  was  pledged 
to  secrecy;  otherwise  more  gambling  stories  might 
have  come  to  light.    It  might  have  broken  him,  if  it 


ib.^ 


"'"'^-^•*^  ="  - 


^■^Jff  •       .         -^,'-  ■■■"•—•  *v_'-f?T^l'^'-';-^'.^'       J--       ■  -  '^;  l">"r?Y  :.-  ■  |  iip  ,wij^^v?pi|«^.i  ,|w 


»«6  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

had  become  known  that  he  in  his  capacity  as  aide- 
de-camp  of  the  regiment  not  only  tolerated  gambling 
at  the  casino,  but  actually  arranged  for  it  in  a  way. 
The  count  was  glad  that  the  affair  should  end  in 
smoke,  and  he  resolved  to  say  a  good  word  to  the 
lieutenants  for  George  on  the  next  occasion  that 
offered  itself,  telling  them :  "  Winkler  behaved  fault- 
lessly. Of  course  I  do  not  wish  to  influence  you,  but 
I  leave  it  to  you  to  consider  whether  you  ought  not  to 
be  a  little  more  friendly  toward  him  in  the  future/' 

On  one  of  the  following  days  the  coulit  addressed 
his  comrades  in  a  carefully  prepared  speech;  but  he 
made  little  impression.  What  Winkler  had  done  any- 
body else  might  have  done  in  his  place.  Was  there 
anything  remarkable  about  it?  It  was  really  not  at 
all  correct  to  make  accusations  without  proving  them. 
He  ought  to  have  told  all  or  nothing. 

Such  were  the  reflections  of  the  comrades.  The 
count  listened  to  these  remarks  amazed  and  embar- 
rassed. At  last  he  grew  serious.  "  Gentlemen,  I  can 
only  repeat  that  according  to  the  judgment  of  the 
colonel  and  my  own,  Winkler  has  behaved  blame- 
lessly. If  you  believe  there  is  the  least  reason  for 
proceeding  against  Winkler,  you  are  entirely  mis- 
taken. I  can  only  urge  you  not  to  hint  even  to  Wink- 
ler the  views  you  just  now  confided  to  me.  Conse- 
quences you  would  not  like  would  be  the  inevitable 
result.    I  beg  of  you  to  remember  this." 

The  gentlemen  did  remember,  but  what  the  count 
told  them  did  not  contribute  toward  changing  their 
i?entiments  in  regard  to  Winkler,    Formerly  the  latter 


r 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN.  207 

was  only  in  their  way;  now  they  began  to  hate  him. 
It  was  distasteful  to  them  that  George,  an  outsider, 
from  whom  they  had  tried  to  keep  aloof,  should  know 
more  of  Willberg's  life  than  they  did ;  that  he  should 
know  dishonorable  facts  about  the  dead,  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  count,  had  better  be  kept  from  the 
public.  They  felt  George  should  speak  out  so  that 
they  could  judge  whether  Willberg  had  really  done 
such  horrible  thiligs.  They  would  judge  him  justly, 
but  also  with  the  consideration  due  to  one  of  their 
own  station.  How  could  the  count  talk  in  that  way  ? 
What  he  had  said  practically  amounted  to  thi^:  You 
have  every  reason  for  being  grateful  to  Winkler  for 
going  on  furlough  in  order  to  prevent  a  meeting  with 
Willberg,  and  a  duel  in  consequence.  Was  that  not 
adding  insult  to  injury?  They,  the  noble  officers, 
should  be  grateful  to  the  one  "  Buergerlicher  "  among 
them?  The  idea  revolted  them.  Who  could  know 
whether  the  motives  advanced  by  George  for  his  trip 
were  really  of  such  a  nature?  Possibly  he  might 
have  said  to  himself :  "  If  I  see  him,  it  will  lead  to 
a  duel ; "  and  he  took  his  trip  only  because  he  felt  sure 
that  on  his  return  he  would  not  find  WiUberg  among 
the  living.  Simply  from  cowardice  he  had  avoided 
the  duel,  had  shown  the  white  feather.  Could  such 
an  officer  be  tolerated  in  the  regiment  ? 

The  longer  the  comrades  talked  about  the  case, 
the  more  they  worked  themselves  into  a  rage.  At 
their  meetings  in  the  regimental  home,  wine  flowed 
freely,  adding  to  the  heat  of  their  excited  feeling. 

"  W^  must  send  a.  delegation  to  the  colonel,  mak-^ 


^fj/CfKi  m^tkdHi  n  '-'•''•'"  -^tf-i'hfK.^it^ihfvW'i  I 


'"•  --"  *—■ ^  -^ ■ 


208  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

ing  a  declaration  that  we  refuse  to  remain  in  the  same 
officers*  corps  with  Winkler.  Either  he  or  we ! " 
shouted  a  hoarse  voice. 

Those  more  sensible  counselled  calmness.  Perhaps 
it  was  not  as  bad  as  that.  Why  should  they  risk  their 
own  existence  for  Winkler's  sake?  Everybody  knew 
how  His  Majesty  favored  him.  If  it  became  known 
in  the  highest  quarters  what  they  thought  about 
Winkler,  and  that  they  had  resolved  no  longer  to 
wear  the  same  uniform,  possibly  His  Majesty  would 
take  it  ungraciously,  all  the  more  so  since  His 
Majesty  did  not  look  upon  their  regiment  with 
marked  favor.  Better  let  grass  grow  first  over  Will- 
berg's  grave;  afterward  they  could  turn  against 
George.  For  the  present,  they  could  do  nothing  ex- 
cept to  show  him  more  distinctly  than  before  that  he 
was  not  welcomed  as  a  comrade.  Perhaps  that  would 
cause  him  to  bring  about  his  own  transfer.  If  he  as 
a  "  Buergerlicher "  was  too  obtuse  for  that,  steps 
might  be  taken  to  force  him  to  it. 

George  soon  noticed  the  feeling  which  existed 
against  him.  He  was  treated  with  extreme  coldness. 
His  comrades  spoke  to  him  only  when  they  couldn't 
avoid  it,  and  replied  to  his  questions  in  the  curtest 
possible  way. 

For  two  weeks  he  endured  this  behavior.  Then  he 
spoke  to  the  aide-de-camp,  the  only  officer  who  had 
treated  him  during  that  time  like  a  comrade. 

"  I  know  you  would  come  to  speak  to  me,"  said  the 
count,  "  I  have  done  all  I  could  to  allay  the  feeling 
existing  against  you  among  the  officers.    I  took  your 


■ '•^     -'  ■■■-■■  •^■'■-■^■^•—'->*ii 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  209 

part  and  cautioned  the  comrades  not  to  drive  you  to 
extremes.  To  my  regret  I  have  not  succeeded.  You 
know,  without  my  telling  you,  that  most  of  them  re- 
sent your  behavior  in  the  Willberg  affair.  They 
know  he  tried  to  borrow  of  you,  and  they  blame  you 
for  not  having  given  him  the  money.  They  believe 
that  possibly  Willberg  would  "not  have  been  obliged 
to  commit  suicide,  if  you  had  come  to  his  assistance. 
Whether  your  money  would  really  have  saved  him — 
since  his  gaming  debt  was  paid — or  whether  other 
causes  forced  the  pistol  into  his  hand,  only  Willberg 
himself  could  decide,  and  he  is  silent  forever.  I  tried 
to  make  the  matter  clear  to  the  others,  but  I  failed. 
They  seem  to  have  several  grudges  against  you." 

George  sat,  pale  as  death,  facing  the  aide-de-camp. 
"  That's  it,  eh  ?  I  have  thought  so  for  a  long  time, 
but  I  never  expected  such  reproaches  from  them. 
What  can  I  do  about  it  ?  " 

"  I  have  already  talked  to  the  commander.  The 
easiest  thing  for  you  would  be  to  move  an  investiga- 
tion of  the  affair  by  the  court  of  honor;  only  there 
seems  to  be  not  the  slightest  cause  for  it.  Perhaps 
the  sentiment  against  you  would  change  if  you  could 
impart  to  the  commander  and  to  me  what  you  learned 
at  the  last  moment  about  Willberg,  what  prevented 
you  from  assisting  him,  what  caused  you  'to  make 
such  weighty  accusations  against  him.  Couldn't  you 
tell  me  ?  If  you  wish,  I  would  keep  silence  about  it, 
though  it  would  be  the  most  natural  thing,  and  the 
best  if  everybody  could  know  all." 

"  I  must  reserve  my  decision  on  that  point.    For 


■ii— IJMimifit  I  III  II II  -   -  -  ^-■^-■^'^-•^''--■■'   ■>^--»'——tt.-^.t»<--.-—-s-.^:  .-■-,.„_,-..     -       .....    .^ ■  .^^ij.'i.     -..:i±i;f 


210  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

the  present  I  have  only  permission  to  tell  you  what 
I  know  if  I  deem  it  absolutely  necessary.  I  now 
believe  that  for  my  own  sake  I  must  break  my 
silence."  He  told  Count  Wettborn  all  that  Olga  had 
confided  to  him. 

The  aide-de-camp  listened  attentively.  When 
George  had  finished,  the  count  sat  silent  for  a  time. 

"  May  I  ask  what  you  think  about  it,  Count  ?  " 

The  latter  still  remained  silent.  Suddenly  he 
sprang  to  his  feet.  "  For  shame !  "  He  shook  him- 
self with  disgust,  and  repeated :  "  For  shame ! " 

George  had  felt  convinced  from  the  beginning  of 
the  correctness  of  his  action;  yet  now  he  breathed 
a  sigh  of  relief.  "  Then  you  understalid  that  I  could 
not  give  him  the  money  ?  " 

The  count  quickly  turned  toward  him.  "Under- 
stand? Of  course,  it  goes  without  saying  that — 
this'' — he  seemed  to  grope  for  some  epithet  applic- 
able to  Willberg,  but  refrained  at  the  last  moment :  "  I 
think  it  is  easily  comprehensible  that  you  could  not 
assist  him  under  such  circumstances,  and  that  every- 
body will  share  my  view.  I  can  appreciate  with  you 
and  the  youlig  lady  how  painful  it  would  be  to  let  the 
story  become  known.  Still,  you  need  not  give  the 
name  of  the  party  concerned." 

"  I  don't  believe  I  would  get  permission  to  do  that. 
I'll  assume  the  responsibility  of  asking  you  to  ac- 
quaint the  commander  with  the  facts.  Perhaps  he 
can  then  talk  to  the  gentlemen,  and  tell  them  he  is 
fully  informed,  and  finds  my  course  of  action  entirely 
correct.    That  mi^ht  brin^  about  the  result  desired," 


■I...     ■.*-C-^.l...^-.r  .^.j-     .-     .t-  .      '_■_.■,       ^■i;^. -..„.»^  -^f.^,...       1^    H'l  •■•ft-i     ,  .--^ri**       '^-^  *-'-^^^*-^**-^'^^«^ 


-■•-^*'    .r-. . 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  211 

"It  must.  I  shall  ask  the  commander  to  talk  to 
the  gentlemen  severely.  If  they  won't  come  to  their 
senses  voltuntarily,  they  must  be  brought  up  with  a 
round  turn.  Be  assured  the  commander  and  I  will 
do  for  you  whatever  we  can.'' 

"I  thank  you." 

The  aide-de-camp  turned  to  go,  and  extended  his 
hand  to  George  on  taking  leave.  It  was  the  first  time 
the  count  had  shaken  hands  with  him.  It  was  the 
first  friendly  act  George  had  encountered  for  a  long 
while;  it  was  the  first  time  that  anybody  had  spoken 
to  him  with  warmth  and  cordiality,  and  taken  his 
part.  It  meant  no  material  change  so  far,  but  for  all 
that  he  felt  better  and  happier.  It  gave  him  great 
satisfaction  to  know  that  his  action  was  ajJpreciated 
as  entirely  correct. 

Olga  could  hardly  recognize  him  when  he  came  to 
her  in  the  evening.  Lately  she  had  been  to  see  him 
almost  every  day,  because  he  remained  at  home  even- 
ing after  evening,  brooding  over  the  outcome  of  his 
plight.  He  had  not  accepted  any  invitations.  He  had 
lived  by  himself  and  written  long  letters  to  his  parents 
about  his  troubles.  He  felt  the  need  to  tell  his  people, 
but  when  the  letters  were  written,  Olga  invariably 
threw  them  into  the  stove.  "  Your  parents  can  neither 
help  nor  advise  you.  Why  should  you  excite  and 
trouble  them  needlessly,"  she  told  him  when  she 
destroyed  his  first  letter.  He  admitted  that  she  was 
right. 

To-day  she  inquired  immediately  whether  he  had 
written  his  usual  letter  of  complaint,  and  wouldn't 


•'  7    T.     ^mwy'vt^^ 


212  FIRST-CLASS  MEN, 

believe  him  when  he  replied  he  had  not  written  at  all. 

"  What  in  the  world  has  happened  ?  " 
He  told  of  his  conversation  with  the  aide-de-camp, 
and  finally  asked :  "  May  everybody  know  how  Will- 
berg  has  behaved  toward  you  ?  " 

Olga  sat  long  in  deep  meditation.  At  last  she 
said :  "  I  love  you  very  much,  and  if  it  would  help 
you,  I  would  gladly  give  you  permission  to  speak 
frankly.  But  it  wouldn't  be  wise,  not  for  your  own 
sake.  Whose  concern  is  it  if  we  two  associate  to- 
gether ?  Everybody  knows  that  a  young  lieutenant  is 
not  a  chaste  Joseph ;  but  it  isn't  necessary  to  cry  from 
the  housetops  that  such  an  attachment  exists.  The 
world  need  not  know  the  name  of  the  woman,  nor 
what  has  happened  to  her.  Some  people  would  blame 
you  for  associating  with  me;  why  should  you  expose 
yourself  to  such  attacks?" 

He  kissed  her  on  the  forehead.  "  You  are  right,  as 
you  always  are.  The  whole  city  would  at  once  know 
of  our  relations,  and  I  would  be  the  subject  of 
criticism." 

Suddenly  he  thought  how  Hildegarde  would  re- 
ceive such  news.  He  had  seen  her  only  once  since  his 
return,  but  his  thoughts  had  been  with  her  every  day. 
Now  her  image  rose  distinctly  in  his  mind, 

"  George,  what  makes  you  think  so  seriously  ?  " 

He  started  from  his  meditation,  Olga  stood  laugh- 
ing before  him. 

"Bid  you  forget  me  altogether?  For  a  whole 
minute  you  were  lost  in  thought.  What  were  you 
thinking  of?*' 


FIB8T'GLA88  MEN  213 

He  did  not  tell  her.  "  Don't  be  angry,"  lie  begged, 
"my  thoughts  were  a-travelling." 

"To  beautiful  Paris?" 

Involuntarily  he  smiled.  "Not  altogether,  for 
now  they  are  again  with  you."  And  tenderly  he  drew 
her  to  him. 


>rL-l».  .w  3t.itii  «<ni.4i 


IX. 


A  meeting  of  the  officers  had  been  held.  All  the 
gentlemen  of  the  regiment,  with  the  exception  of 
Lieutenant  Winkler,  were  ordered  to  attend.  The 
colonel  on  that  occasion  handled  his  lieutenants  with- 
out gloves.  He  was  in  a  state  of  irritation,  constantly 
fearing  his  dismissal.  He  was  not  disposed  to  have 
another  scandal  among  his  officers;  such  a  scandal 
was  inevitable  if  they  did  not  change  their  behavior 
toward  Winkler.  As  far  as  he  was  justified  in  doing 
so,  he  enlightened  them  about  the  Willberg  affair, 
assuring  them  that  George  had  behaved  in  such  a 
blameless  manner  that  he  might  serve  as  an  example 
to  others.  At  first  the  commander  intended  to  send 
a  delegation  of  three  lieutenants  to  George,  to  convey 
to  him  an  expression  of  confidence  on  behalf  of  their 
comrades,  and  to  ask  his  forgiveness  for  their  unjust 
suspicions.  In  a  long  conversation  with  his  aide-de 
camp,  the  question  was  considered  whether  definite 
satisfaction  was  not  due  to  George.  The  aide-de- 
camp had  persuaded  him  that  to  go  too  far  would 
result  in  more  harm  than  good.  If  the  commander 
were  to  insist  on  an  official  apology  by  the  others,  their 
excited  minds  would  not  be  calmed,  but  only  irritated 
anew.  Anger  would  burst  again  into  flame,  the  pil- 
grimage of  penitence  would  be  felt  a  great  humilia- 
tion, the  more  so  because  George  was  only  "  Cuerger- 


.„:L.. 


li'i  iiii  il'ilMiliiiiii^taiii 


R^- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  215 

lich."  It  would  always  be  painful  for  the  nobility  to 
own  to  a  "  Buergerlicher '' :  I  have  wronged  you. 
The  colonel  finally  accepted  that  view.  So  he  only 
addressed  the  officers  with  great  emphasis,  closing 
with  the  words :  "  I  have  ordered  Count  Wettbom  to 
report  to  me  daily  how  you  behave  toward  Winkler. 
If  I  hear  of  a  single  complaint,  if  I  learn  that  any 
one  of  you  does  not  conduct  himself  in  the  future  as  I 
desire,  I  shall  see  to  it  that  the  party  concerned  will 
find  himself  within  three  days  in  a  frontier  garrison. 
My  word  upon  ,that."  i 

That  brought  relief,  at  least  in  so  far  that  thereafter 
the  comrades  no  longer  dared  to  offend  Winkler 
openly  or  to  talk  about  him  irritatingly.  Their  senti- 
ments had  not  changed  nor  grown  more  amiable  be- 
cause of  the  commander's  censure,  but  they  kept  their 
own  counsel  and  maintained  a  kind  of  outward  cour- 
tesy toward  George  without  becoming  really  friendly. 
What  was  offered  to  George  in  the  way  of  comrade- 
ship was  little  enough,  yet  it  was  more  than  he  had 
dared  to  hope  after  his  recent  experiences.  The  pres- 
ent behavior  of  his  comrades  filled  him  with  a  certain 
satisfaction.  In  his  good  nature  he  almost  regretted 
that  the  gentlemen  had  to  listen  for  his  sake  to  so  much 
severe  admonition.  In  his  demeanor  aifft  in  his  asso- 
ciation with  them  he  did  not  betray  his  thoughts.  He 
remained  courteous  and  amiable,  just  as  he  had  been 
from  the  beginning.  He  took  pains  to  act  as  if  he  had 
not  the  remotest  inkling  of  the  transactions  during 
the  officers'  meeting.  Officially  he  knew  nothing  about 
it,  for  Count  Wettbom  did  not  deem  it  proper  to  give 


..A-fcic^.^...^  I.:..-.,..  ...L  .-■-■-■.,.;^;...x  II   riV'itfii'"'''        -•-I— J«-" 


216  FIR8T'CLAS8  MENi 

him  direct  information  as  to  how  the  other  gentlemen 
had  been  harangued  for  his  sake.  That  would  have 
been  too  much  like  a  humiliation  of  the  nobility  before 
the  "  Buergerlicher  "  class.  George  continued  to  play 
the  role  of  the  man  who  did  not  know.  He  did  not 
refer  to  the  mistrust  they  had  shown  him  before;  he 
did  not  cherish  any  resentment.  He  remained  mod- 
est, he  did  not  pose  as  a  man  brilliantly  justified,  or 
as  a  man  who  had  been  entirely  cleared  from  unjust 
accusations,  and  whose  adversaries  had  been  put  down 
with  unrelenting  censure.  Upon  the  more  sensible  ele- 
ment among  the  officers  George's  wise  behavior  made 
a  certain  impression. 

Though  George  in  no  way  showed  it,  he  noticed 
that  a  certain  reversion  of  sentiment  on  his  behalf 
was  slowly  taking  place.  He  spoke  to  Olga  about  it. 
In  the  letters  to  his  parents  he  reported  that  he  would 
shortly  be  happy  and  contented.  None  too  soon,  for 
he  had  now  been  more  than  a  year  with  the  Yellow 
Butterflies.  He  felt  he  had  become  an  entirely 
changed  being.  His  naturally  sunny  temperament 
gained  the  upper  hand  again,  his  cheerful  disposition 
threw  off  the  dark  thoughts  which  had  lately  crowded 
upon  him. 

He  attended  to  his  duties  with  more  zest  than  before. 
His  captain  had  gone  away  for  a  few  days,  the  first 
lieutenant  was  likewise  on  furlough  for  a  time,  and 
since  nothing  of  great  consequence  in  the  way  of 
service  was  expected,  George  had  been  entrusted  with 
the  command  of  the  company. 

This  morning  the  company  had  practiced  target 


.w  ^:suiM  A  .•l.j.^fai^iaatfltok 


FIBST'CLASS  MENi       '^[        217 

shooting;  then  there  was  gun  revision.  At  first 
George  had  left  that  service  to  the  sergeant-major; 
but  at  the  last  moment  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  be  pres- 
ent. He  appeared  quite  unexpectedly.  The  com- 
pany stood  drawn  up  in  the  corridor.  As  George 
ascended  the  stairs  he  heard  from  above  such  a  loud 
cursing  and  scolding  that  he  hastened  his  steps. 

The  shout :  "  The  Herr  Lieutenant  is  coming !  " 
caused  a  dead  silence.  The  sergeant-major  hastened 
toward  him  to  report. 

"  Sergeant-major,  what  is  up  ?  Don't  you  know 
how  the  captain  insists  on  a  good  tone  in  the  com- 
pany ?  I  should  not  like  to  make  any  change  during 
his  absence.  What  has  happened  ?  " 

"  Nothing,  Herr  Lieutenant.  The  Herr  Lieutenant 
knows  himself  how  the  voice  resounds  in  the  corridor 
if  one  talks  a  little  louder  than  usual.  One  has  to  do 
that  in  order  to  be  understood  at  all.  Possibly  I  may 
have  spoken  rudely  to  some  fellow  whose  gun  was  not 
cleaned  well." 

"  You  had  better  not  grow  rude,  but  rather  make  a 
note  of  it  and  have  the  man  present  his  gun  again 
for  inspection." 

"  Eight,  Herr  Lieutenant." 

George  and  the  sergeant-major  stood  somewhat 
away  from  the  company.  Now  he  dismissed  the  ser- 
geant-major :  "  Go  on  inspecting  the  guns." 

The  sergeant-major  went  back  to  his  place  and 
George  walked  slowly  along  the  line,  looking  at  the 
men's  uniforms.  Suddenly  he  stopped  in  front  of  a 
man:  "  Petersen,  what  have  you  been  up  to ?  " 


.  ■A■^■„.l■  ir,-'..  ,.i^...^-.'....-... -'..^^i.,;!.!-  >.-  ..-:-i,.-^:i.^M:^-^.^-i;;,'^.-j^a^._ji.:.\i,-,  ;.    ..  ■  —  ....  .■.i^^mmaitiitijaa 


"7^  ;»!tTT'>'--^ 


218  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

The  soldier's  eye  showed  a  heavy  swelling,  and  his 
forehead  a  large  bruise,  which  prevented  him  from 
wearing  his  cap  in  the  proper  position. 

"  You  look  horrible ;  how  did  it  happen  ?  "  George 
asked. 

"  I  fell,  Herr  Lieutenant." 

"Where?" 

"  On  the  stairs." 

"I  always  said  you  lame  fellows  could  not  even 
walk  and  still  imagined  that  you  could  march  in 
parade,"  George  jested.  Such  harmless  fun  was 
usually  appreciated  by  his  men.  They  liked  being 
teased  a  little  about  their  own  awkwardness.  His 
words  feU  fiat  to-day;  Petersen  did  not  laugh,  the 
comrades  standing  around  did  not  move  a  muscle 
of  their  faces.  George  was  struck  by  that,  but  for 
the  moment  did  not  consider  it  further.  He  turned 
to  go,  when  he  accidentally  saw  Corporal  von  Nissen, 
who  stood  in  the  window  only  three  paces  distant, 
looking  at  Petersen  with  eyes  so  threatening  that 
even  George  started  involuntarily. 

In  a  flash  he  understood  the  whole  case.  The  in- 
stinct which  had  prejudiced  him  from  the  beginning 
against  that  non-commissioned  officer  had  not  deceived 
him.  The  discovery  occupied  him  to  such  an  extent 
he  did  not  clearly  realize  the  consequences  as  he  re- 
turned to  the  soldier  and  put  him  through  a  cross- 
examination:  "When  did  you  fall?  Who  was  with 
you  ?  Did  you  go  to  have  your  wound  attended  to  by 
the  hospital  assistant  ?  Who  was  there  when  you  re- 
turned ?  "   He  could  not  get  anything  out  of  the  man. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN.  219 

He  had  fallen.  Nobody  had  seen  it.  He  had  not 
told  anybody  in  order  not  to  be  laughed  at  for  his 
awkwardness. 

"What  do  you  know  about  it,  Corporal  von  Nis- 
sen?"  said  George,  suddenly  turning  to  the  latter; 
"you  are  the  corporal,  you  are  responsible  for  your 
men.  Why  didn't  you  send  the  man  to  have  his 
wound  dressed  ?    It  looks  horrible." 

Von  Nissen  still  looked  at  the  man  with  burning 
eyes.  "  I  don't  know  anything  about  it,  Herr  Lieu- 
tenant; I  discovered  the  injury  only  just  before  the 
inspection,  when  it  was  too  late  to  send  him  to  the 
hospital  assistant." 

George  knew  the  corporal  lied,  but  from  reasons 
of  discipline  and  subordination  he  did  not  wish  to 
charge  him  with  falsehood  in  the  presence  of  the 
men ;  so  he  took  Petersen  aside.  "  You  show  me  the 
spot  where  you  fell  on  the  stairs." 

A  clever  liar  would  have  taken  George  somewhere 
and  simply  told  him :  Here  is  the  place,  Herr  Lieuten- 
ant. But  this  soldier  was  not  sufficiently  versed  in 
the  art  of  dissimulation  and  hypocrisy.  He  did  not 
know  whether  to  go  to  the  right  or  to  the  left.  George 
took  him  .in  hand  once  more.  "  I'll  tell  you  what, 
Petersen;  you  know  me,  and  you  know  that  I  mean 
well  to  all  of  you,  even  closing  an  eye  whenever  possi- 
ble. But  if  you  tell  me  a  pack  of  lies  and  make  a 
fool  of  me  now,  I,  too,  can  grow  harsh  and  rude.  I 
warrant  you,  you  won't  enjoy  it,  if  you  learn  that  side 
of  my  character.  Out  with  it,  I  pledge  you  no  harm 
shall  come  to  you.    Where  did  you  fall  ?  " 


I  ir'tHi-n-  f 


220 


FIB8T-CLAS8  MENi 


Petersen  stood  in  inward  struggle.  At  last  he  said : 
« I  didn't  fall  at  all/' 

"  Instead — what  has  happened  ?  " 

"  Corporal  von  Nissen  struck  me  on  the  head  with 
a  cooking  pot/' 

George  was  indignant,  though  he  had  not  doubted 
from  the  beginning  that  the  matter  had  come  about  in 
some  such  way.  Even  now  he  would  not  and  could 
not  betray  his  sentiments  toward  his  subordinate;  so 
he  only  said :  "  That's  it  ?  All  right,  step  back  to  the 
ranks." 

The  man  remained  standing  at  attention  before  his 
lieutenant  without  stirring. 

"Have  you  something  else  on  your  mind?" 
George  asked.  "You  know,  Petersen,  you  are  not 
permitted  under  the  rules  to  make  a  complaint  against 
the  corporal  to-day.  Only  to-morrow  you  may  do 
that.  Otherwise  you  yourself  are  liable  to  punish- 
ment." 

"  Eight,  Herr  Lieutenant ;  I  do  not  wish  to  make  a 
complaint." 

"  What  else  do  you  want  ?  " 

The  soldier,  a  big,  strong,  sturdy  fellow,  was  trem- 
bling all  over. 

"  Speak  up,  man ;  you  may  have  confidence  in  me. 
What  else  do  you  want  ?  " 

"  I  should  like  to  beg  the  Lieutenant  humbly,  not  to 
tell  the  corporal  I  told  the  truth  to  the  Herr  Lieuten- 
ant, else  the  corporal  will  thrash  me  this  evening,  and 
will  compel  the  comrades  to  strike  me  with  their 
whips.' 


}> 


-  .     ..    .'...-i.^.    ^-'  u.-.. 


■^..■-a^u,.>:;  .-■-»-■>»—    -Jl>. 


FIR8T'CLA88  MEN.  321 

Invdltintarily  George  moted  back  a  step.  "  How  del 
you  come  to  say  tbat  ?  That's  only  your  imagination. 
How  can  you  insinuate  such  a  thing  about  your  su- 
perior ?  "  He  spoke  against  his  own  conviction,  but 
the  interests  of  the  service  required  him  even  now  to 
defend  the  superior.  Later  on  there  would  be  occa- 
sion to  bting  the  whole  truth  to  the  light  of  day. 

Petersen  still  trembled.  "  We  know  the  Herr  Cor- 
potal  thoroughly.  Last  week  Private  Meyer  wanted 
to  complain  because  the  Herr  Corporal  knocked  out 
two  of  his  teeth.  The  corjporal  learned  of  it  and 
struck  him  with  the  whip  until  the  blood  began  to 
floW;  ahd  we  had  to  assist  in  striking  the  poor  fel- 
low." 

"  How  could  you  do  such  a  thing  ?  " 

"The  Herr  Corporal  threatened  us  he  would  see 
we  got  no  Sunday  leave.  He  teased  and  plagued  us 
until  at  last  we  got  enraged  and  struck  at  Meyer 
again  and  again,  until  he  could  no  longer  move." 

"Well,  and  then?"  George  inquired,  hardly  able 
to  contain  himself  in  his  indignation. 

"  Then  the  Herr  Corporal  fetched  an  old  Bible  and 
Meyer  had  to  swear  on  the  Bible  that  he  would  not 
make  a  complaint.  The  Herr  Corporal  told  Meyer 
that  if  he  complained  now  he  would  be  a  perjurer  and 
be  sent  to  state's  prison  for  false  swearing." 

George  was  beside  himself  at  what  he  heard;  yet 
he  said  with  apparent  composure :  "  It  is  well.  Step 
back  to  the  ranks." 

Still  Petersen  remained  standing,  and  asked  with 


ts 


liiiWiMitfiii'iii  ilii  >^"— ■  '^-iTinSai.!  '■  i  -iit'.v*^'-  '^'  -^  -  '■^- ■*.-.«^i^i^i^-afcMj--.  ■^-i::.iiu, -  '..■-.  -..  ■-^.:  _:  _  f^  -    ^- ■' -    ■   "■ 


222  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

tears  in  his  voice,  "  The  Herr  Lieutenant  will  surely 
not  say  anything  to  the  Herr  Corporal  ?  " 

"  I  can't  promise  that,  but  I  warrant  you  that  Cor- 
poral von  Nissen  will  do  no  bodily  injury  to  you  this 
evening.  He  won't  harm  you  any  more.  Are  you 
satisfied?" 

Petersen  shook  his  head.  "Then  the  other  non- 
commissioned oflBcers  will  do  it.  They  are  all  in  with 
the  Herr  Corporal.  They  are  not  all  as  bad,  but  they 
all  strike  us." 

George  did  not  seem  to  have  heard  the  last  words. 
"  Calm  yourself.  Nothing  will  happen  to  you  to-day. 
I  myself  shall  remain  in  the  barracks  all  night  watch- 
ing out.    I  hope  you  are  satisfied." 

"  Very  well,  Herr  Lieutenant." 

Petersen  stepped  back  to  the  ranks,  and  George, 
too,  was  on  the  point  of  returning  to  the  company 
when  he  saw  Corporal  von  Nissen  standing  nearby, 
evidently  waiting  for  the  moment  when  he  could 
have  speech  with  him.  As  soon  as  George  was  alone, 
the  corporal  advanced  toward  him. 

"What  do  you  want  with  me?"  George  asked, 
curtly. 

Nissen  fried  in  vain  to  hide  his  disquiet  and 
anxiety,  his  restless  eyes  wandering  more  than  usual. 

"  What  do  you  want  ?  "  George  repeated. 

The  corporal  made  an  unsuccessful  effort  to  control 
his  voice ;  it  was  perceptibly  unsteady  when  he  spoke : 
"  I  only  wanted  to  beg  the  Herr  Lieutenant  humbly — 
I  can  imagine  what  Petersen  told  the  Herr  Lieuten- 
ant— I  wish  to  beg  him  humbly  not  to  believe  Peter- 


iifaii     Mil  --■ — "-'^■■^^-^'-  ■  ■-- -I  I  li  nifti 


^^'^"' 


FIB8T-CLA88  MEN.  223 

sen.  He  is  the  biggest  liar  and  slanderer  in  the  com- 
pany. The  Herr  Captain  knows  it.  He  has  given  me 
orders  to  keep  an  eye  on  Petersen,  who  is  a  social 
democrat  in  disguise.  His  comrades  know  it.  The 
Herr  Lieutenant  may  ask  the  whole  company.  They 
all  will  tell  him  the  same  thing :  Petersen  lies." 

George's  face  showed  contempt.  Petersen's  every 
word  proved  clearly  that  he  told  the  truth.  While 
George  was  talking  to  the  private,  Nissen  was  busy 
influencing  his  men  and  threatening  them  with  more 
violence  if  they  would  not  represent  Petersen  as  a 
liar.  A  sense  of  immense  disgust  and  loathing  for 
the  corporal  who  could  lay  hands  on  a  defenceless 
inferior  filled  George ;  he  despised  him  most  of  all  for 
the  effort  to  lie  out  of  his  guilt  when  caught.  So  he 
said :  "  Not  merely  vulgar  and  despicable,  but  cow- 
ardly too?  Pfui!" 

The  corporal  grew  pale,  but  made  another  effort  to 
clear  himself.  "  The  Herr  Lieutenant  knows  how  the 
Herr  Captain  thinks  of  me;  the  Herr  Captain  has 
told  the  Herr  Lieutenant  himself.  When  the  Herr 
Captain  returns  from  his  furlough  he  will  speak  to 
the  Herr  Lieutenant  about  me,  then  the  Herr  Lieu- 
!| .  tenant  will  perceive  that  he  is  wronging  me  greatly." 

The  infamous  character  of  these  hints  was  plain 
enough  to  George.  He  was  reminded  of  the  morning 
when  the  Captain  had  spoken  rudely  to  him  for  the 
sake  of  this  same  corporal.  He  could  perceive  dis- 
tinctly how  Nissen  looked  forward  with  secret  Joy 
to  the  day  when  George  would  be  rebuked  a  second 
time  for  doubting  a  splendid  corporal.     The  veins 


224  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

on  George's  forehead  began  to  swell  with  anger.  He 
controlled  himself  with  a  great  effort.  "  Corporal 
von  Nisseh,  whether  I  wrong  you  or  not  will  be  de- 
termined later  on.  For  the  present  time  you  appear 
to  me  as  more  than  suspected  of  repeated  ill-treat- 
ment of  your  inferiors." 

Nissen  tried  to  defend  himself  again,  when  the 
sergeant-major  appeared  and  reported  that  the  in- 
spection of  the  guns  was  finished. 

"  Good  you  are  here,  Sergeant-Majof,"  George 
turned  to  him,  and  added  with  a  clear,  firm  voice: 
"  Sergeant-Major,  take  off  the  sword  of  Corporal  von 
Nissen  and  lead  him  to  prison  as  an  accused." 

The  corporal  grew  pale  and  staggered  back. 

"  Well,  Sergeant-Major,  why  don't  you  proceed  ?  " 
George  asked,  as  the  other  hesitated  to  carry  out  the 
order,  "  didn't  you  understand  me  ?  '* 

"  At  your  service,  Herr  Lieutenant,"  the  sergeant- 
major  answered,  with  hesitation,  "  I  only  thought  of 
what  the  Herr  Captain  would  say  on  learning  of  it." 

Involuntarily  George  laid  his  hand  on  his  sword. 
"  Donnerwetter,  Sergeant-Major,  do  I  command  the 
company  or  do  you  ?  I  want  your  answer." 

"  The  Herr  Lieutenant." 

"It  is  well  you  perceive  that.  You  now  either 
place  the  corporal  under  arrest,  or  else  I  punish  you 
for  disobedience  of  orders." 

Such  energetic  language  had  its  effect.  The  ser- 
geant-major offered  no  further  resistance.  "Take 
off  your  sword,  Corporal  von  Nissen." 


FIRST'OLASS  MEN  225 

The  latter  mechanically  uncoupled  his  belt  and  let 
his  sword  drop  to  the  ground. 

The  sergeant-major  picked  it  np.    "  Come  along." 

With  shaking  knees,  without  raising  his  eyes  again, 
the  corporal  descended  the  stairs  with  the  sergeant- 
major.  A  moment  later  George  saw  the  two  walk 
across  the  courtyard.  Then  both  disappeared  in  the 
military  jail,  situated  in  the  farthermost  right-hand 
corner  of  the  great  courtyard  of  the  barracks. 

George  began  to  realize  what  he  had  done.  For  a 
second  doubts  rose  within  him  whether  after  all  he 
had  not  acted  rashly,  without  due  consideration.  He 
called  Private  Meyer,  told  him  the  story  as  Petersen 
had  given  it,  atid  asked  him  upon  his  honor  and  con- 
science whether  it  was  true. 

"  Did  you  have  to  swear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Herr  Lieutenant.*' 

"  Were  you  beaten  ?" 

"  I  can  still  show  it  to  the  Herr  Lieutenant." 

Evidently  the  men  had  seen  that  the  corporal  had 
been  taken  to  jail,  else  they  would  not  have  dared  to 
speak  so  freely. 

"  Show  it  to  me." 

The  man  took  off  his  breeches.  His  body  showed 
plainly  large  blue  welts  filled  with  blood,  raised  by  the 
strokes  of  the  whips. 

"  That* s  enough." 

The  man  dressed  again.  In  spite  of  the  traces  of 
cruel  ill-treatment  he  had  thus  found,  George  had  a 
sensation  almost  of  joy.     It  was  plain  he  had  not 


-*-*'^-^-"-^^    ■-  ■  Vii  :    „,),j,iJg|g|jijgMgJ|t||^||ia^j-j^jjL-^^ 


T'^ 


226  FIB8T'CLA8S  MEN 

wronged  the  corporal,  whose  guilt  was  clearly  estab- 
lished. 

Soon  the  sergeant-major  returned.  "  Order  is  ex- 
ecuted." 

"Thanks.  Let  the  men  disband,  I  only  want  to 
speak  to  the  non-commissioned  officers." 

A  moment  later  they  stood  before  the  lieutenant  in 
a  semi-circle.  George  let  them  stand  at  attention  pur- 
posely in  order  to  give  more  emphasis  to  what  he  had 
to  say.  "Let  me  inform  you  first  that  I  have  sent 
Corporal  von  Nissen  to  jail  for  flagrant  ill-treatment 
of  his  subordinates.  As  usual,  this  came  to  light  to- 
day through  an  accident  only.  If  I  had  remained 
away  from  the  Appell,  as  I  originally  intended,  I 
should  probably  never  have  known  anything  about  it. 
This  infamous  business — such  incredible  doings  can't 
be  called  otherwise — would  have  gone  on  without  in- 
terference. Hints  have  come  to  me  that  many  non- 
commissioned officers  are  in  the  same  boat  with  von 
Nissen.  I  don't  know  whether  that  means  you  knew 
of  his  ill-treatment  of  soldiers  without  reporting  the 
facts,  or  whether  you,  too,  have  laid  hands  on  your 
men.  I  do  not  propose  to  investigate  any  further  for 
the  present.  That  will  be  the  business  of  the  court 
later  on.  To-day  I  only  wish  to  say  to  you  that  each 
of  you  who  does  not  feel  entirely  free  from  guilt 
ought  to  be  ashamed  of  himself  from  the  bottom  of 
his  heart.  I  am  the  last  man  to  find  fault  with 
an  officer  who  is  so  carried  away  by  anger  at  tlie 
stupidity  or  obstinacy  of  a  subordinate  as  to  strike  or 
push  a  single  time.    It  ought  not  to  be  done,  cer- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  227 

tainly,  but  we  are  all  human  and  liable  to  forget  our- 
selves occasionally.  Our  men  know  it  and  don't 
take  amiss  a  blow  they  receive  in  consequence  of  sud- 
den irritation.  They  know  no  real  harm  is  meant. 
They  also  know  that  later  on,  when  they  are  ordered 
to  drill  recruits,  they  may  poke  a  man's  ribs  once  in 
a  while  without  meaning  real  harm.  But  there  is  an 
immense  difference  between  forgetting  himself  in  the 
zeal  of  duty  and  deliberate  and  cold-blooded  ill-treat- 
ment of  subordinates.  The  first  is  human,  the  second 
contemptible.  Corporal  von  Nissen  and  every  other 
man  guilty  of  such  offences  will  be  punished  according 
to  his  deserts.  Now  I  want  to  speak  to  you  briefly 
about  another  matter.  I  have  been  informed  that  the 
men  fear  being  alone  with  you  to-night  at  the  bar- 
racks. They  apprehend  you  might  take  your  revenge 
on  them  because  I  sent  Corporal  von  Nissen  to  jail. 
It  is  a  fine  testimony  for  you  that  the  men  are  afraid 
instead  of  having  confidence  in  you.  You  have  every 
reason  to  be  proud  of  it." 

These  words  were  surcharged  with  irony,  and 
George  continued :  "  I  will  assume  for  your  sake  that 
those  fears  are  without  cause,  I  have  promised  that 
none  among  you  will  lay  hands  on  a  man.  Therefore 
I  order  the  sergeant-major  and  the  vice-sergeant- 
major  to  patrol  the  quarters  of  the  men  steadily  from 
now  on  until  bedtime,  and  to  relieve  each  other  every 
two  hours.  All  doors  must  remain  open  the  whole 
night.  At  nine  o'clock  I  myself  shall  be  on  watch. 
Thafs  what  I  wished  to  tell  you."    . 

The    non-commissioned    officers    were    dismissed. 


tela 


'^^''^^^'^**''*^-*^-^--'"'-^-'"-"     ■-^'-■'^-■^•^'--'>.    <~\r>,^J^.:■J^^<i^J:.-:^■'--'■■■■•--■^^--'■-^^^*M3i»t.^^y^^..-^i^^-^Yf^  '>--  ^   ■-;,  -    ,"  -        "  lafl^^^iiliiri  '-"*-' ^-*^ 


22&  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

While  he  was  speaking  George  had  scrutinized  their 
faces  carefully.  Many  of  them  had  changed  color, 
some  of  them  endeavored  to  act  as  if  the  whole  matter 
did  not  concern  them,  as  if  they  felt  free  of  any 
guilt.  But  he  had  the  impression  that  only  a  few  of 
them  had  an  absolutely  clear  conscience. 
■  Accompanied  by  the  sergeant-major,  George  went 
to  the  office  of  the  company  to  prepare  his  report 
about  Corporal  von  Nissen  and  to  hand  the  document 
over  to  the  battalion.  It  would  then  be  forwarded  to 
the  regiment,  and,  considering  the  gravity  of  the  case, 
would  reach  superiors  higher  up.  George  had  sent 
away  the  private  detailed  to  work  as  clerk,  and  now 
turned  to  the  sergeant-major.  He  was  horrified  over 
what  he  had  seen  and  heard,  and  spoke  frankly. 
"  Tell  me,  Sergeant-Major,  how  can  such  a  thing  be 
possible?  How  is  it  thinkable  that  such  doings  can 
go  on  for  weeks  without  anybody  knowing  of  it  ?  Did 
you  never  know  anything  of  it?  You  live  with  the 
men  on  the  same  corridor,  you  must  have  passed 
through  the  rooms  many  times,  by  day  as  well  as  in  the 
evening.    Did  you  never  notice  anything  suspicious  ?  " 

For  answer  the  sergeant-major  shrugged  his  shoul- 
ders. 

"What  does  that  imply?"  George  asked.  "You 
don't  mean  to  say  that  the  whole  thing  is  entirely  new 
to  you  ?  " 

"Not  exactly  that,"  the  sergeant-major  replied, 
after  a  moment.  "  Since  the  matter  will  have  to  come 
up  any  way,  I  may  as  well  talk  reasonably.    I  shall  be 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  229 

called  as  a  witness  in  the  investigation,  and  I  must 
tell  under  oath  all  I  know," 

"  And  what  do  you  know  ?  " 

"  Strictly  speaking,  not  much,  Herr  Lieutenatit.  I 
can  swear  with  a  clear  conscience  that  I  never  saw 
or  heard  anything.  I  can  also  swear  no  man  ever 
came  to  me  to  make  a  complaint.  None  ever  wanted 
to  complain  officially.  I  myself  should  have  been 
liable  to  punishment  had  I  suppressed  a  matter  of 
complaint  reported  to  me  in  the  course  of  duty  with- 
out forwarding  it  to  the  higher  authorities." 

"  Certainly ;  and  you  have  an  entirely  clear  con- 
science ?  " 

The  sergeant-major  meditated  for  a  moment.  "  I 
do  believe,  Herr  Lieutenant,  the  court  cannot  do  any- 
thing to  me.  That's  the  main  thing  for  an  old  soldier 
who  will  complete  his  twelve  years  of  service  within  a 
few  months  and  will  then  be  entitled  to  an  allowance 
of  a  thousand  marks  and  to  a  place  in  the  government 
civil  service." 

"It  seems  the  main  thing  as  far  as  the  outside 
world  is  concerned,"  said  George.  "  Still  your  words 
indicate  that  you  do  not  feel  entirely  guiltless  in  your 
conscience." 

"I  believe  I  do,  Herr  Lieutenant.  As  I  said,  I 
never  saw  or  heard  anything,  but  I  had  my  misgiv- 
ings that  everything  was  not  right  with  the  men 
under  Corporal  von  Nissen.  Ever  so  many  times 
one  of  his  men  either  fell  and  injured  himself,  or  ran 
up  in  the  darkness  against  some  object  and  was  hurt. 
I  had  Nissen  before  me  and  asked  him :  *  You  don't 


V 


230  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

beat  your  men?'  Of  course  he  always  answered  in 
the  negative.  I  might  have  taken  an  oath  that  he 
was  lying,  but  what  could  I  do?  Should  I  interro- 
gate the  men  behind  the  corporal's  back?  Perhaps 
that  might  have  been  the  best  thing  to  do,  but  dis- 
cipline and  subordination  are  giving  way  dreadfully 
even  without  such  action.  Good  Lord,  in  former 
days  you  could  do  anything  with  the  fellows.  You 
could  twist  them  around  your  little  finger,  but  now 
it's  enough  to  make  an  old  soldier  shed  tears.  What 
little  authority  we  have  saved  in  spite  of  biennial 
service  is  undermined  and  destroyed  by  the  news- 
papers with  their  d talk  about  the  degrading 

treatment  of  subordinates.  Under  such  conditions, 
you  can't  blame  an  old  soldier  for  not  doing  more 
than  is  absolutely  required  of  him  toward  bringing 
such  stories  to  light." 

Greorge  partly  assented.  "  Yet  it  is  hardly  right." 
"I  know,  Herr  Lieutenant,  but  what  good  would 
it  have  done  to  me  had  I  reported  the  matter  oflBcially 
when  I  myself  had  no  official  knowledge  of  it?  My 
capitulation  would  not  have  been  renewed,  I  should 
not  have  received  my  thousand  marks,  and  I  would 
have  been  left  to  look  out  for  my  own  future.  It 
would  not  have  meant  official  punishment  for  me 
that  my  capitulation  was  not  renewed.  On  the  con- 
trary, I  should  have  received  faint  official  praise.  But 
none  of  my  superiors  would  have  thanked  me  for 
forcing  the  discussion  of  these  matters  without  being 
absolutely  compelled  to  take  such  action." 
George  could  only  agree  with  the  sergeant-major. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  231 

and  for  the  first  time  the  thought  struck  him :  "  How 
will  you  be  thanked  for  reporting  this  scandal  ?  " 

"  I  am  a  married  man,"  the  sergeant-major  contin- 
ued; "the  Herr  Lieutenant  knows  I  have  two  chil- 
dren. One  does  not  like  to  be  thrown  into  the  street 
suddenly  with  his  family.  It  is  horribly  hard  for  fel- 
lows like  me  to  find  suitable  employment.  Old  non- 
commissioned officers  with  their  certificates  for  civil 
service  often  run  around  for  a  year  and  a  day  in  idle- 
ness because  every  calling  is  crowded.  Therefore 
one  stays  in  the  service  as  long  as  possible,  instead  of 
twelve  years,  twenty,  and  sometimes  longer.  There  is, 
at  least,  the  position,  the  salary,  the  quarters.  All 
that  is  not  to  be  jeopardized  without  absolute  compul- 
sion. In  self-interest  and  in  the  interest  of  one's  ex- 
istence one  must  close  an  eye  wherever  possible.  It 
was  possible  in  my  case." 

"Did  you  ever  speak  to  the  Herr  Captain  about 
Nissen  ?  " 

"  Often  enough,  Herr  Lieutenant.  Kepeatedly  I 
hinted  to  him  that  it  seemed  to  me  as  if  Nissen  did 
not  treat  his  men  right." 

"  And  what  did  the  Herr  Captain  reply  ?  "  George 
asked  eagerly. 

"  The  first  time  he  laughed  at  me,  later  on  he  grew 
rude  to  me.  The  Herr  Lieutenant  knows  that  Nissen 
is  to  become  sergeant-major  later  on ;  so  that  the  cap- 
tain thought  I  was  already  jealous  of  my  successor. 
I  really  had  no  cause  for  that,  since  Nissen  must 
first  become  a  sergeant,  then  a  vice-sergeant-major, 
before  he  can  take  my  place  or  that  of  any  of  my 


^■w^»^.*.i--.^  .>--— ^— ...a^.'^^t.n "-.^r^-^^-  ..^^^.-.f^.-t;.,.^. 


232  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

colleagues.  I  explained  that  to  the  captain,  but  he 
still  thought  I  was  jealous,  particularly  because  he, 
the  captain,  favored  Nissen.  He  admonished  me  to 
regard  Nissen  with  just  eyes,  and  not  always  to  find 
fault  with  him.  After  that  I  held  my  peace.  Only 
once  did  I  again  speak  to  the  captain,  calling  at- 
tention to  a  man's  reddened  cheek  that  showed  plainly 
the  slap  the  fellow  had  received.  Of  course  he  was 
one  of  Nissen's  men." 

"Did  the  Herr  Captain  take  the  corporal  to  ac- 
count?'' 

"  I  don't  think  so,  Herr  Lieutenant.  The  Herr 
Captain  only  asked  me  whether  I  had  never  boxed  a 
man's  ears.  Well,  I  couldn't  swear  to  that,  where- 
upon the  captain  said  I  should  not  complain  to  him 
about  Nissen  for  an  act  I  had  once  committed  my- 
self." 

George  grew  meditative.  "Pray  tell  me,  Ser- 
geant-Major,  do  you  believe  the  Herr  Captain  knew 
how  Nissen  treated  his  men  ?  " 

"Not  exactly  that,  Herr  Lieutenant,  for  Nissen 
was  always  very  cautious.  He  rarely  struck  the  men 
in  the  face ;  externally  the  ill-treatment  never  showed. 
I  cannot  understand  how  he  could  be  so  careless  to- 
day and  be  carried  away  to  such  an  extent  as  to  strike 
Petersen  on  the  head.  No,  I  don't  believe  the  captain 
knew  anything  about  it,  but  I  often  wondered  that 
he  granted  Nissen  so  much  power  over  the  men.  If 
one  of  them  had  to  report  for  punishment,  or  the  like, 
he  had  always  to  report  to  Nissen.  I  once  complEiined 
about  it  to  the  Herr  Captain.    I  am  the  sergeant- 


I'lJ.  i     a  ■^liJMfaiigtt 


FIB8T'CLA88  MEN  233 

major,  and  could  not  tolerate  silently  such  infringe- 
ments of  my  rights  and  duties.  It  looked  as  if  the 
Herr  Captain  mistrusted  me.  But  the  Herr  Captain 
said  I  should  not  make  myself  ridiculous.  Didn't  I 
know  how  much  he  thought  of  me?  Didn't  I  have 
work  enough  ?  He  had  made  the  arrangement  solely 
to  ease  my  duties  and  to  relieve  me  of  a  portion  there- 
of. Thereupon  I  said  to  the  captain  there  was  a  vice- 
sergeant-major  and  the  sergeant;  but  the  Herr  Cap- 
tain replied  gruflfly  I  had  better  leave  it  to  him  which 
non-commissioned  officer  he  considered  best  qualified 
to  act  as  my  representative.  It  depended  on  the  in- 
dividuality of  the  parties  concerned,  not  on  their 
rank  in  the  service." 

"That's  quite  correct,  for  it  always  was  a  puzzle 
to  me  why  the  Herr  Captain  protected  Nissen  so." 

"It's  no  puzzle  to  me,  Herr  Lieutenant.  I  have 
known  the  Herr  Captain  for  many  years.  The  Herr 
Captain  is  a  good  soul,  but  susceptible  to  flattery. 
Nissen  understands  that  better  than  anybody  else. 
He  always  danced  attendance  upon  the  captain  like  a 
regular  courtier,  trying  to  win  his  good  graces.  I  am 
only  curious  to  know  what  the  Herr  Captain  will  say 
when  he  returns  from  his  furlough  and  learns  the 
whole  story." 

"We  must  not  let  the  captain  wait  so  long  for 
news.  He  commissioned  me  to  telegraph  him  in  case 
anything  of  importance  should  happen  in  the  com- 
pany during  his  absence.  I  almost  forgot  it.  Please 
write  down  this  dispatch :  '  Had  to  send  Corporal 
von  Nissen  to  jail  pending  investigation  for  repeated 


— ri:jf*f.-- .j/'jV'.^.u.^t.t--^'.^.^  .  ^--  ■       ......  ^V. ii'm  nfiarfr    t  - 


234  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

ill-treatment  of  subordinates/  "  The  sergeant-major 
wrote  the  dispatch  and  George  took  it  to  the  telegraph 
office. 

The  next  day  at  noon  the  captain  returned  from 
his  furlough.  Immediately  after  receiving  the  dis- 
patch he  interrupted  his  trip.  He  was  in  a  state  of 
irritation  which  George  could  not  understand.  Cer- 
tainly the  matter  was  unpleasant  enough,  but  for  all 
that  the  captain  ought  to  be  grateful  to  him  for  ex- 
posing existing  conditions  and  putting  an  end  to 
further  ill-treatment.  Instead  of  that,  the  superior 
was  filled  with  boundless  anger  against  George.  Im- 
mediately after  his  return  he  summoned  George  from 
the  barracks,  and  had  a  conversation  with  him  dur- 
ing which  George  found  it  well-nigh  impossible  to 
control  himself  under  the  storm  of  reproaches  with 
which  the  captain  overwhelmed  him.  "I  am  cer- 
tainly far  from  approving  all  that  Nissen  has  done; 
but  still  less  can  I  approve  of  your  conduct,  Herr 
Lieutenant.  You  ought  to  have  notified  me  first.  I 
should  have  returned  forthwith  and  investigated  the 
matter  myself.  It  would  have  beeil  time  then  to  pro- 
ceed against  the  corporal.  I  cannot  withhold  the  re- 
proach that  you  have  acted  hastily,  without  fore- 
thought. It  almost  looks  to  me  as  if  you  wished  to 
show  ofip  your  dignity  as  leader  of  a  company,  as  if 
you  had  wished  to  boast.  You  knew  how  much  I 
thought  of  Nissen.  You  should  not  have  proceeded 
against  him  thus  on  your  own  motion  out  of  regard 
for  me,  the  less  so  since  there  was  no  compulsory 
motive  for  your  action.     It's  an  old  saying  that  he 


■ftilliilMkUillllili^uK^.  _  --•-■■  --■-^-^'- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  235 

who  asks  many  questions  will  get  many  replies.  You 
might  have  waited  to  see  whether  Petersen  or  Meyer 
would  make  an  official  complaint.  It  would  have 
been  time  enough  then  to  act  as  you  did.  Possibly 
it  might  have  been  sufficient  if  you  had  summoned 
the  corporal  and  talked  to  him,  if  you  had  threat- 
ened to  report  him  in  case  he  should  repeat  such  an 
offence.  Instead  of  that,  you  question  and  question 
to  your  heart's  content  until  you  finally  know  what 
you  wanted  to  learn.  You  were  always  prejudiced 
against  the  corporal.  Now  you  have  assuaged  your 
anger.    Are  you  satisfied  ?  " 

Greorge  controlled  himself  with  a  great  effort.  "I 
should  have  proceeded  against  any  other  non-com- 
missioned officer  in  precisely  the  same  way." 

The  captain  laughed  so  derisively  that  the  blood 
rose  to  George's  cheeks. 

"  I  must  respectfully  request  you,  Herr  Captain, 
not  to  doubt  my  word." 

"  I  must  emphatically  remind  you,  Herr  Lieu- 
tenant, not  to  call  me  to  account.  If  what  I  told  you 
does  not  please  you,  you  have  the  right  to  make  com- 
plaint." 

"  At  your  service,  Herr  Captain." 

The  captain  paced  the  office  like  a  raging  animal. 
Then  he  stopped,  his  eyes  bloodshot,  in  front  of 
George  who  felt  a  shock.  He  hardly  recognized  his 
superior,  the  incarnation  of  calm  and  distinction. 

"  Herr  Lieutenant,  do  you  realize  what  you  have 
done  ?  "  his  superior  growled.  "  I  won't  speak  of  the 
trouble  you  make  for  me.    If  you  did  not  think  of  me. 


■  - JJiii I iilhi ■■  11  ^1- [■■  I  -fcyhrf"  I  'Pb'rii ■" "  ..-j'.:-.. ^-^ - ' ■;,■  ■■  i^ ■  '^'"^  --'-  --~''" ■■•-- -'^ -  ^-.  A  !\tS:,a-^mr< ilriii ■  ■  1  ■  V urtV iif  -irtii ■  ti - 


..J. .,.,..,,-, 


dad  FIR8T-CLA88  MEN 

you  should  have  thought  of  the  regiment  and  of  your- 
self. The  story  of  little  Willberg  is  barely  forgotten. 
You  hardly  escaped  the  suspicion  of  not  having  acted 
properly  in  that  affair.  Now  you  start  a  new  story 
that  will  be  taken  up  by  all  the  newspapers.  The 
whole  press  will  attack  us,  the  regiment  will  be  talked 
of  everywhere.  The  papers  will  sling  mud  and  we 
shall  have  to  endure  it.  If  such  a  thing  happens 
in  any  other  part  of  the  army  it  isn't  so  bad ;  but  we, 
the  regiments  of  the  guard,  must  make  sure  that  noth- 
ing finds  its  way  into  print  which  is  not  above  re- 
proach. The  washing  of  dirty  linen  should  take  place 
in  private,  I  repeat,  it  might  well  have  been  done 
in  this  case.  The  matter  might  have  been  disposed 
of  by  a  severe  rebuke,  and  only  the  higher  superiors 
would  have  known  it.  You  have  prevented  that  by 
handing  in  your  report  so  hastily.  Now  the  battalion 
must  send  the  matter  higher  up,  and  a  public  scandal 
is  inevitable.  That  isn't  all;  His  Majesty,  too,  will 
hear  of  the  proceedings,  and  will  hardly  approve  your 
behavior  in  spite  of  the  high  favor  in  which  you  are 
held." 

"I  beg  pardon,  if  I  have  to  contradict  the  Herr 
Captain;  I  know  precisely  what  His  Majesty  thinks 
about  the  ill-treatment  of  soldiers." 

"  So  do  I,"  the  superior  shouted,  "  but  it  isn't 
necessary  to  make  a  mountain  out  of  a  molehill,  to 
stir  up  mud  by  thoughtlessness." 

The  blood  mounted  to  George's  cheeks.  "I  am  con- 
scious of  no  guilt.  If  my  action  was  wrong,  I  shall 
know  how  to  bear  the  consequences." 


FIR8T-GLA88  MEN.  S37 

The  captain's  face  flushed  also.  "You  will  have 
to  do  that,  in  any  case.  That  helps  neither  me  nor 
the  regiment.  It's  entirely  immaterial  to  us  whether 
you  are  dismissed  or  not.  We  have  lived  without  you 
before,  and  can  do  so  again  in  the  future.  But  your 
dismissal  by  no  means  disposes  of  this  matter." 

"  Possibly  it  may  be  disposed  of  by  strict  and  im- 
partial puishment  of  the  guilty  man.  If  the  public 
sees  that  such  behavior  must  be  severely  expiated  the 
scandal  will  calm  down  quickly." 

"  You  believe  that  ?  "  the  captain  sneered.  "  Well, 
you  will  have  occasion  enough  to  explain  and  justify 
your  conduct  in  this  affair." 

George  was  astonished  and  indignant  at  this  un- 
just treatment.  He  was  firmly  resolved  to  offer  com- 
plaint about  it.  He  changed  his  mind  the  next  morn- 
ing when  he  was  called  to  the  office  of  the  battalion 
and  that  of  the  regiment.  There  also  indescribable  ex- 
citement prevailed.  Though  his  conduct  and  his 
strict  sense  of  justice  were  praised  pro  forma,  he  had 
to  hear  things  he  did  not  expect. 

"You  should  have  realized  that  the  public  and 
possibly  the  corps  will  not  stop  with  the  corporal. 
They  will  ask :  "  How  was  such  a  thing  possible  ? 
Could  it  have  happened  had  there  been  sufficient 
supervision  on  the  part  of  the  higher  officers  ?  You, 
as  lieutenant,  should  know  such  supervision  means 
only  that  we  constantly  admonish  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  not  to  lay  hands  on  their  men,  that  we 
remind  them  of  the  consequences  following  the  op- 
posite course.    We  cannot  be  tied  to  every  non-com- 


—  *-^'— '''^-•'- '^'-'^'-    -^"■■->  •---■•    - •■■>--..•  I  rf1fi(ill«-iiln  ^'-^  -^-^ 


238  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

missioned  officer.  We  can't  be  always  inspecting  the 
men's  quarters  by  day  and  night.  We  can't  do  more 
than  we  are  doing  to  prevent  such  ill-treatment.  In 
spite  of  that,  we,  the  superiors,  are  held  directly  re- 
sponisble.    You  will  see  how  this  affair  will  end." 

The  remarks  of  his  superiors  showed  plainly  their 
anxiety  for  their  own  existence.  Involuntarily  George 
recalled  the  utterance  of  a  captain  in  his  old  regi- 
ment: "The  ill-treatment  of  soldiers  will  cease  only 
when  changes  are  made  in  two  directions.  In  the 
first  place  the  superiors  must  not  be  goaded  by  their 
superiors,  and  the  captain  and  the  major  must  know 
that  an  unfortunate  inspection  will  not  necessarily 
break  them.  At  present  they  look  forward  to  the 
appearance  of  an  Excellency  with  fear  and  trembling. 
In  order  to  pass  the  inspection  with  some  show  of 
success,  they  keep  on  drilling  and  drilling.  The 
major  scolds  the  captain,  the  captain  scolds  the  lieu- 
tenants, and  they  in  turn  the  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers. The  rudeness  increases  from  grade  to  grade 
downward.  The  non-commissioned  officers  would 
have  to  be  angels  if  they  did  not  wreak  their  rage 
upon  the  men  who,  after  all,  though  indirectly,  are  the 
cause  of  the  trouble.  If  Hanson  carries  his  gun  im- 
properly, the  captain  is  blamed  for  not  emphasizing 
sufficiently  the  proper  carriage  of  the  guns  in  his 
company.  Of  course  the  censure  is  unjust,  as  the 
higher  superior  knows  full  well.  That  doesn't  matter, 
the  main  thing  is  that  the  captain  should  get  worked 
up  and  show  his  energy.  To-day  nobody  really  cares 
for  the  education  of  the  army.    Each  struggles  for  Jiis 


i-ifl  I  iiiiiiiai 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  239 

own  existence.  Each  feels  threatened  daily  with  dis- 
missal, for  a  thousand  different  reasons.  In  order  to 
avoid  that  as  long  as  possible,  constant  injustices  are 
committed  against  the  subordinates  of  every  grade. 
The  road  to  advancement  nowadays  passes  over 
corpses.  This  will  change  only  when  we  cease  to  live 
in  an  epoch  of  inspections,  when  we  no  longer  work 
merely  for  ourselves,  but  for  the  whole  army. 

*'  Then  feelings  will  be  calmed  again.  We  shall  no 
longer  attempt  to  accomplish  with  blows  and  ill-treat- 
ment what  might  be  achieved  quicker  and  better  by 
kindness. 

"  That  is  one  point.  The  second  is  -that  ill-treat- 
ment will  only  cease  when  the  superiors  have  courage 
to  take  up  all  complaints  and  to  punish  what  they 
observe,  either  themselves,  or  by  reporting  the  guilty 
party  for  punishment  higher  up.  Naturally  such 
courage  is  found  only  in  a  man  who  is  either  very 
rich,  and  therefore  finds  it  immaterial  whether  he 
draws  full  salary  or  a  pension,  or  with  a  man  who 
stands  exceptionally  well  with  his  higher  superiors, 
and  therefore  says  to  himself :  *  It  won't  interfere  with 
my  career  if  the  misdeeds  of  my  non-commissioned 
officers  become  known,  since  I  myself  am  entirely 
innocent  in  the  matter.' 

"But  the  man  who  trembles  and  shivers  for  his 
future  naturally  says  to  himself :  *  My  position  is 
shaky  anyway.  If  it  should  become  known  that  my 
non-commissioned  officers  beat  their  men,  I  may  as 
well  get  my  civilian  suit  ready,'  Who  can  find  fault 
with  a  poor  captain  or  a  poor  major  for  not  forward- 


840  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

ing  a  complaint,  or  for  simply  admonishing  an  offi- 
cer whom  he  has  caught  beating  his  men  instead  of 
meting  out  prompt  punishment  to  the  offender  ?  " 

On  that  occasion  George  had  agreed  with  his  cap- 
tain. Yet  now  he  could  not  quite  understand  why  his 
superiors  should  be  annoyed,  because  he  had  called 
their  attention  to  such  marked  brutalities. 

"  I  can  hear,"  said  the  colonel,  "  His  Majesty  saying 
to  me :  '  First  the  affair  with  Willberg,  now  this  still 
greater  scandal  with  the  non-commissiotied  officers. 
There  are  nice  conditions  in  your  regiment/  "  Then 
the  commander  added :  "  If  the  affair  breaks  my  neck 
you  are  the  cause  of  it,  nobody  but  you;  I  would  not 
have  believed  you  would  get  us  into  such  a  mess." 

George  distinctly  understood  the  colonel  expected, 
on  the  score  of  gratitude  for  having  taken  his  part 
recently,  that  he  would  have  showed  more  regard  for 
the  reputation  of  his  regiment.  Still  George  was  not 
conscious  of  any  guilt.  An  inner  voice  told  him  that 
he  had  only  acted  as  an  honorable  man  must. 

Not  only  his  superiors,  but  his  comrades  took  it 
amiss  that  he  reported  the  matter  higher  in  official 
form.  -Not  that  they  supported  the  corporal.  On  the 
contrary,  there  were  exclamations  of  general  indigna- 
tion when  George  told  of  the  physical  condition  of  the 
victims.  Still  the  officers  felt  that  the  good  reputa- 
tion of  the  regiment  was  of  more  consequence  to  them 
than  the  well-being  of  the  common  soldiers. 

First  there  had  been  the  affair  among  the  officers 
themselves,  now  the  scandal  with  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers — ^they  found  themselves  in  a  fine  fix- 


■..^.  ■  ..    1.   -■■-- ■■--->-|VVnti  r,  r.iMi»«rfri»i»ii<iMii«liM*llMM 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  241 

Of  eouree  the  verdict  would  be :  "  Nice  goings-on  with! 
the  Yellow  Butterflies;  the  lieutenants  shoot  them- 
selves, the  non-commissioned  officers  beat  their  men 
black  and  blue." 

George  noticed,  too,  that  they  felt  it  doubly  dis- 
agreeable because  he,  the  only  "  Buergerlicher " 
among  them,  had  made  the  disclosures  about  the  mis- 
deeds in  the  company. 

Thereafter  he  had  a  terrible  time.  His  position 
was  shaken,  his  official  life  hardly  endurable.  His 
captain  treated  him  with  a  contempt  which  made  it 
scarcely  possible  for  him  to  maintain  his  composure. 
The  first  lieutenant,  Freiherr  von  Masemann,  assisted 
his  captain  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  The  Freiherr 
shared  his  superior's  views  and  considered  it  more 
than  ever  his  duty  to  educate  George  and  to  play  the 
schoolmaster  toward  him. 

Meanwhile  the  investigation  had  been  started,  and 
followed  its  regular  course.  The  first  hearing  of  the 
accused  had  taken  place.  In  view  of  the  gravity  of 
the  charges,  the  matter  had  to  be  submitted  to  the 
higher  authority  of  the  division.  Hearings  took  place 
daily,  and  half  the  company  was  constantly  on  the 
way  to  the  court-room.  Only  too  soon  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  the  abuses  became  plain.  Among  the  men 
under  Corporal  von  Nissen  there  was  hardly  one  who 
had  not  been  beaten  by  him.  The  corporal's  assistants 
had  aided  him  in  every  way  in  the  ill-treatment  and 
torture  of  the  privates,  induced  to  such  course  by 
illegal  favors  shown  to  them  by  the  corporal.  Other 
corporals  had  behaved  as  badly  as  von  Nissen,  others 


jCiitoifaLii— ii^.^.i-i...  .,■..-■■../■..>.  .^-.  ^,^-  .,--':;.■■■-■■■_— M.ij^...;=;jaL<t^-.t.^..^-.:.;i--?.i-,.-,:^  ■-■  .  .■-  .  —  ■  --»-j^^jL^a»j 


242  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

again  had  misbehaved  in  a  lesser  degree.  They  all 
had  the  same  explanation  to  offer.  "  The  Herr  Cap- 
tain forbade  us  scolding  and  verbal  abuse;  he  threat- 
ened us  with  the  annulment  of  our  capitulations  in 
case  we  should  violate  his  commands.  We  were  not 
permitted  to  talk  roughly  to  the  men.  If  we  reported 
a  private  for  laziness  or  some  other  reason,  he  was 
never  punished,  but  merely  admonished  to  do  his  duty 
in  the  future.  We  all  know  the  Herr  Captain  had 
the  ambition  to  prove  that  he  could  command  a  com- 
pany without  ever  decreeing  a  punishment." 

The  company's  records  of  punishment  are  handed 
over  to  the  regiment  and  to  the  division  regularly. 
According  to  the  views  of  the  higher  superiors,  that 
company  is  the  best  which  can  show  the  smallest 
number  of  penalties  imposed.  Those  records  have 
wrought  no  end  of  evil,  they  are  the  stumbling-blocks 
of  the  officers. 

Undoubtedly  there  should  be  supervision  on  the 
part  of  the  higher  officers;  only  it  should  not  be  ex- 
ercised as  now.  It  is  not  easy  to  determine  from  a 
seat  at  a  desk  whether  a  captain  acted  correctly  when 
he  imposed  three  days'  arrest  upon  a  man.  Consider 
also  the  principle  before  mentioned.  "  That  company 
is  the  best  which  has  the  smallest  number  of  punish- 
ments." No  saying  is  more  fallacious  than  this. 
None  leads  to  so  much  undue  leniency  toward  the 
subordinates.  This  view  of  the  higher  superiors 
almost  compels  a  captain  to  close  eyes  and  ears,  to  see 
nothing  and  to  hear  nothing,  so  as  not  to  be  obliged 
to  impose  penalties. 


.1. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  243 


Herr  von  Warnow  obviously  did  not  wish  to  punish 
any  one.  That  was  clearly  established  by  the  testi- 
mony of  all  the  witnesses.  He  wanted  to  have  the  best 
company,  not  because  of  exaggerated  military  ambi- 
tion but  solely  because  of  his  refinement.  Men  who 
had  been  punished  became  distasteful  to  him  individ- 
ually, he  could  not  bear  them.  A  private  of  the  guard 
might  be  rebuked  sometimes,  but  never  sent  to  con- 
finement. Thus  confinement  sentences  had  become 
rarer  and  rarer  in  the  company.  The  non-commis- 
sioned officers  could  not  get  the  support  of  their  cap- 
tain, in  consequence  of  this  noble  theory  which  did 
not  always  answer  the  practical  requirements  of  the 
service.  The  captain  demanded  a  great  deal  of  his 
non-commissioned  officers ;  his  soldiers  were  to  be  the 
best  in  every  respect.  Such  results  could  not  be  ac- 
complished by  kindness.  The  men  were  not  punished. 
Cursing  and  scolding  was  prohibited,  to  look  at  a  man 
crossly  resulted  in  the  admonition  to  treat  him 
decently.  What  remained  then  for  the  non-com- 
missioned officers  but  to  seek  their  own  relief?  Not 
during  the  official  service,  but  afterward  they  wreaked 
their  vengeance  on  the  men. 

If  a  man  drilled  badly,  it  was  first  reported  to  the 
captain  with  a  request  to  make  the  fellow  undergo 
additional  exercises;  but  the  captain  held  that  in  a 
decent  company  this  was  unnecessary.  That  irritated 
the  non-commissioned  officers,  who  said  to  themselves : 
"The  fellows  simply  laugh  at  us  if  we  report  them 
for  punishment,  they  know  it  amounts  to  nothing. 
So  they  ordered  the  men  on  extra  drill.    They  ordered 


^;^^.  >     • -■  -       "-"-—--•■*---*--■-  if- jiiTiittiiaiftrl  ^rW —    *'■'■'-   ■ 


244  FIB8T'CLA88  MEN 

them  up  in  their  rooms  behind  closed  doors  and  tor- 
tured them  as  much  as  they  could.  There  were  cuffs 
and  blows  in  plenty.  If  any  one  betrayed  by  look  or 
mien  that  he  intended  not  to  endure  such  treatment, 
he  was  brutally  beaten  until  he  gave  up  every  idea  of 
complaint.  Frequently  the  men  had  to  get  up  at 
night  and  drill  in  the  rooms,  dressed  only  in  their 
shirts.  The  man  that  didn't  exercise  properly  was 
beaten  with  a  whip  until  blood  flowed. 

A  sad  condition  of  affairs  was  revealed.  The  whole 
company,  including  the  officers,  had  to  appear  as 
witnesses.  Both  lieutenants,  Freiherr  von  Masemann 
and  Winkler,  stated  under  oath  that  they  had  no 
inkling  of  the  abuses,  that  they  had  never  heard  of  a 
complaint,  never  noticed  or  heard  of  anything  sus- 
picious while  inspecting  the  men's  quarters. 

The  interrogatory  of  Captain  von  Warnow  resulted 
differently.  He  had  to  admit  that  the  depositions  of 
the  sergeant-major  were  correct.  He  had  also  to 
admit  that  his  attention  had  been  called  repeatedly  to 
the  actions  of  Corporal  von  Nissen,  and  that  he  had 
paid  no  attention  to  such  warnings.  As  his  reason  for 
so  doing  he  could  only  say  that  Nissen  had  been  most 
sympathetic  to  him,  that  he  should  never  have  sus- 
pected him  of  such  treatment  of  his  men.  He  had 
nothing  further  to  offer  in  extenuation  of  his  con- 
duct. 

"  Didn't  you  know,  Herr  Captain,  it  was  your  duty 
to  investigate  whether  the  accusations  against  the 
corporal  had  any  foundation  in  fact?"  asked  the 
£aiditor  who  conducted  the  investigation. 


:.L^  — ^  '■  ''       -'-"  *--^' 


PIR8T-CLA88  MEN  U6 

Captain  von  Warnow  drew  himself  up  proudly.  "  I 
believe  I  have  done  my  duty  in  every  respect,  I  have 
always  admonished  my  non-commissioned  officers  to 
treat  their  men  decently." 

The  auditor  took  that  answer  down,  and  said: 
"Corporal  von  Nissen  offers  as  his  excuse  that  you, 
Herr  Captain,  directly  ordered  him  to  deal  with  the 
crooked  and  the  stupid  ones,  as  he  expressed  himself, 
singly.  He  thinks  that  gave  him  the  right  to  order 
the  men  on  extra  drill.  He  alleges  that  only  his  zeal 
for  the  service,  his  consciousness  of  responsibility  for 
the  confidence  shown  him  caused  him  to  strike  the 
men.  May  I  ask  you  how  you  came  to  grant  such  a 
young  non-commissioned  officer  so  much  power? 
According  to  my  conception,  you,  Herr  Captain, 
thereby  gave  to  the  corporal  occasion  and  motive  for 
his  ill-treatment  of  the  soldiers." 

"  That  may  be  your  idea,  Herr  Auditor.  I  selected 
this  non-commissioned  officer  because  he  seemed  to 
me,  on  account  of  his  education,  the  best  qualified  in 
every  respect." 

"  Did  it  never  strike  you  that  von  Nissen's  men  in 
particular  were  frequently  lame  or  marched  poorly? 
Did  you  never  inquire  what  ailed  them?  Did  you 
never  try  to  learn  whether  the  many  falls  of  which  the 
men  spoke  actually  happened  ?  Especially  at  the  pres- 
ent time  when  so  many  cases  of  ill-treatment  are 
occurring,  you  should  have  inquired  why  so  many  in- 
juries took  place  among  Nissen's  men." 

Herr  von  Warnow  listened  to  the  auditor  in  amaze- 
ment: "It  seems  as  if  you  were  trying  to  hold  me 


iiiiiillftiAiW'iiriliiiliir''lTr"-^--'--'''-''-'-'^'"^ — ^^-^^^^^^-.tX^-^  ^•ri-^.:-^>^-..;..A^'Jii^  -•^--■-.Cs^t^^^v.ML 


246  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

responsible  for  the  whole  affair,  though  only  in- 
directly.   I  must  emphatically  protest  against  that." 

The  auditor  looked  at  the  captain  firmly.  "  I  am 
certainly  of  the  opinion  that  you  are  to  blame  in  so  far 
as  you  did  not  exercise  suflBcient  supervision  over 
your  non-commissioned  officers.  I  consider  it  my  duty 
to  embody  that  in  the  record." 

The  consequence  was  that  a  charge  was  preferred 
against  Captain  von  Warnow  for  being  indirectly  re- 
sponsible for  the  abuses,  because  of  insufficient  super- 
vision of  his  non-commissioned  officers. 

Captain  von  Warnow  was  suspended  from  service, 
and  Freiherr  von  Masemann  entrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  company.  It  was  the  sensation  of  the 
day.  They  were  all  beyond  themselves,  but  nobody 
was  stunned  by  the  news  more  than  George,  He 
had  not  wished,  he  had  not  expected  that  his  report 
would  have  such  consequences.  According  to  the 
surmises  expressed  at  the  casino,  Herr  von  Warnow 
was  likely  to  get  four  weeks'  confinement  to  his  quar- 
ters ;  possibly  he  would  be  obliged  to  leave  the  army. 
At  all  events,he  could  no  longer  stay  with  the  regiment. 
Again  the  whole  wave  of  aager  turned  against  George 
as  the  cause  of  the  whole  misfortune.  He  suffered 
terribly  under  the  silent  accusations  of  the  others. 
He  retired  almost  completely  from  intercourse  with 
his  comrades.  He  was  in  no  mood  to  frequent  social 
affairs.  What  should  he  do  there?  As  long  as  the 
investigation  against  his  captain  was  pending,  the 
latter  could  not  go  to  entertainments,  and  the  con- 
sequence was  that  his  wife  and  niece  did  not  go  out. 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  247 

So  George  was  deprived  of  the  chance  of  speaking 
with  Hildegarde,  thought  Just  at  that  time  he  wished 
particularly  to  see  her  and  to  learn  from  her  own 
lips  whether  she  also  condemned  him  for  having 
caused  her  relatives  trouble. 


X. 


Sentence  had  been  pronounced.  Corporal  von 
Nissen  was  to  be  degraded  and  imprisoned  for  eigh- 
teen months.  Four  more  non-commissioned  officers 
of  the  company  were  sentenced  to  six  months'  impris- 
onment each,  A  few  days  later  the  court  martial 
found  against  Captain  von  Warnow  a  sentence  of  four 
weeks'  confinement  in  a  fortress  for  insufficient  super- 
vision of  his  non-commissioned  officers,  whereby  he 
indirectly  caused  the  ill-treatment  of  their  sub- 
ordinates. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies  glided  about  completely 
crushed.  All  merriment  had  died  out  at  the  casino. 
The  officers  scarcely  dared  to  be  waited  on  by  the 
orderlies;  what  must  they  think  of  their  superiors? 
If  only  publicity  at  the  time  had  been  prevented !  A 
motion  to  the  effect  had  been  made,  but  did  not  pre- 
vail. The  whole  deadly  affair  was  displayed  in  the 
newspapers.  The  press  of  all  shades  of  opinion  con- 
demned the  facts  that  came  to  light.  There  was  talk 
of  bringing  the  matter  before  the  Eeichstag.  There 
were  long  dissertations  upon  the  subject.  What  use 
were  ordinances  against  the  ill-treatment  of  soldiers 
if  the  superiors  did  not  see  that  the  ordinances  were 
obeyed  ?  In  short,  the  papers  were  full  of  the  matter 
day  after  day. 

Nor  was  that  the  worst.    His  Majesty  had  ordered 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  249 

a  detailed  report  about  the  affair.  He  had  asked  for 
the  records  and  sent  to  the  officers  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers  word  in  unmistakable  fashion  that  they 
had  lost  his  good-will  and  grace,  and  that  it  would 
take  a  long  time  to  regain  his  confidence. 

"  We  are  taboo."  Somebody  let  that  remark  drop 
at  table,  and  thereby  hit  the  nail  on  the  head.  The 
Yellow  Butterflies  were  taboo.  They  could  see  it  by 
the  way  in  which  they  were  regarded  in  society,  by  the 
way  in  which  the  comrades  of  other  swell  regiments 
avoided  them.  In  a  manner  as  unobtrusive  as  pos- 
sible, yet  plainly  noticeable  to  them.  Not  because  of 
deep  inner  conviction !  Not  because  the  others  felt 
indignant  that  such  things  should  happen  with  the 
Yellow  Butterflies!  No,  it  wasn't  that.  It  didn't 
concern  them  whether  thrashing  went  on  in  the  regi- 
ment or  not.  Why,  it  happened  every  day,  particularly 
with  the  cavalry.  There  was  hardly  a  riding  exercise 
where  the  riding  whip  did  not  come  into  action. 
Thrashing  took  place  all  around,  in  one  regiment 
a  little  more,  in  another  a  little  less.  So  when  the 
other  officers  officially  kept  somewhat  aloof  from  the 
Yellow  Butterflies,  they  did  so  with  regard  to  pub- 
licity. It  would  make  a  good  impression  if  their 
behavior  toward  the  Butterflies  were  interpreted: 
"We  are  better  men."  Added  to  that  was  the  fact 
that  His  Majesty's  words  had  become  public.  There- 
fore sagacity  required  cool  conduct  toward  the  Yellow 
Butterflies.  If  His  Majesty  dropped  the  regiment, 
one  could  not  very  well  treat  it  graciously. 

The  Yellow  Butterflies  were  taboo.    They  noticed 


250  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

it  plainly  when  they  held  the  first  love  feast  after 
these  sad  occurences.  As  usual,  invitations  had  been 
extended  to  the  comrades  of  other  military  bodies. 
Almost  all  declined;  only  a  few  young  fellows  for 
whom  nobody  cared  in  particular  accepted. 

Baron  Gersbach,  the  Uhlan,  did  not  come,  although 
Count  Wettborn  personally  went  to  see  him,  and 
guaranteed  him  a  long  gambling  night.  Still,  Baron 
Gersbach  insisted  on  declining  the  invitation. 

"Don't  take  it  amiss,  my  dear  Count,  but  condi- 
tions with  you  are  not  quite  right.  Too  much  has 
been  in  the  papers.  Who  can  guarantee  that  one  of 
your  men  or  one  of  the  non-commissioned  officers 
engaged  in  waiting  on  us,  will  not  go  to  some  paper 
afterward  and  tell  them  the  fresh  news  of  what  we 
have  done,  and  how  we  behaved.  If  one  of  vour  own 
lieutenants  conjures  up  such  a  scandal  by  an  indiscre- 
tion wholly  out  of  place,  we  need  not  be  astonished 
if  your  men  do  the  same  thing.  I  have  no  desire  to 
figure  in  the  papers.  I  am  glad  I  got  off  so  easily  at 
the  time  Willberg  disappeared  from  the  face  of  the 
earth.  Don't  take  it  amiss  if  I  speak  frankly.  As 
long  as  you  have  characters  like  Winkler  among  you, 
we  cannot  associate  with  you." 

Count  Wettborn  tried  in  vain  to  defend  George ;  he 
made  no  impression. 

"  Certainly  he  had  the  best  of  intentions,"  said  the 
Uhlan,  "but  intentions  alone  don't  always  count. 
A  sensible  man  must  see  what  the  consequences  are. 
The  consequences  in  this  case  you  know  better  than  I 
do.     The  whole  affair  is  most  unpleasant  for  us. 


FIB8T-CLA88  MEN  251 

We  regiments  of  the  guard  form  a  whole  as  it  were ; 
what  happens  in  one,  casts  its  shadow  upon  the 
others.  The  public  does  not  say  that  such  a  thing 
happened  with  the  Yellow  Butterflies.  It  says:  'It 
happened  with  the  guard.'  That  is  horrible,  for  we 
more  than  others  must  insist  on  a  good  reputation 
with  the  outside  worid.  Extraordinary  demands  are 
made  upon  us  in  regard  to  the  service,  consequently 
we  may  have  to  exercise  extraordinary  strictness 
toward  our  men.  If  then  some  idealist  appears  who 
wants  to  make  the  whole  world  happy,  who  wants 
to  abolish  corporal  punishment,  we  find  his  ideas 
very  beautiful  in  theory,  but  if  he  provokes  such  a 
public  scandal,  we  simply  cannot  continue  to  asso- 
ciate with  him." 

The  count  had  to  leave  without  accomplishing  his 
purpose.  Thus  far  he  had  been  the  only  one  defend- 
ing George  from  a  sense  of  justice.  Now  he  came 
to  realize  that  Winkler  could  6ot  remain  in  the  regi- 
ment. One  morning  he  spoke  to  the  commander  in 
this  sense.  "  It  won*t  do  any  longer,  Herr  Colonel, 
we  are  almost  boycotted.  We  can't  have  any  guests 
so  long  as  Winkler  is  with  us.  He  has  brought  dis- 
credit upon  us,  and  upon  himself.  Formerly  nothing 
could  be  urged  against  him,  except  his  *Buerger- 
licher  descent;  now  the  belief  prevails  among  the 
corps  of  officers  that  he  made  his  report  solely  because 
he  is  *  Buergerlich.' " 

The  commander  looked  up  astonished.  "How  is 
that?" 

"Pardon,    Herr   Colonel,   the   matter   is    simple 


..-i^--^-    -,..„,■■  -.-k.  .;■,■■. ^vm..   ....-,  ^  .^-^i^^^^^^^J^.^.  /^,.,  ,^  i^  .•-..■  r- ■■- 


252  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

enough.  The  gentlemen  believe  that  Winkler  in- 
tended to  avenge  himself  by  his  report  for  not  having 
been  treated  by  us  with  the  cordial  comradeship  he 
expected.  He  meant  to  play  us  a  trick  and  to  show 
us : '  As  the  only  '  Buergerlicher '  among  you,  I  am  far 
more  respectable  than  you.  Solely  not  to  bring  dis- 
credit upon  your  regiment,  and  upon  your  noble 
names,  you  close  your  eyes  and  ears  and  tolerate  the 
abuse  of  your  men.  I  am  more  liberal,  I  am  less 
permeated  by  the  caste  spirit  which  prompts  you  to 
preserve  appearances.  Therefore  I  act  according  to 
the  dictates  of  my  conscience.  I  am  guided  solely 
by  my  sense  of  duty." 

"  That  is  sheer  nonsense ! "  burst  out  the  com- 
mander. * 

*'  Certainly,  I  would  take  my  oath  such  thoughts 
never  occurred  to  Winkler.  But  the  comrades  impute 
them  to  him.  That  cannot  be  helped.  Nothing  is 
more  difficult  than  to -talk  them  out  of  a  view  they 
have  once  firmly  accepted.  You  know  that  better 
than  I." 

The  colonel  groaned.  "The  Lord  knows  what 
pains  I  took  to  bring  the  lieutenants  to  their  senses." 

He  lighted  his  cigar  and  smoked  furiously.  "  My 
dear  Count,  let  me  give  you  a  bit  of  advice.  If  you 
are  not  pensioned  off  early,  leave  the  army  before  you 
become  colonel  and  commander  of  a  regiment.  I 
can  tell  you  the  path  is  not  one  of  roses.  The  colonel 
is  responsible  for  everything,  for  the  education  of  the 
men,  for  their  spirit,  for  the  corps  of  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  and  last,  but  not  least,  for  the  lieu- 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  253 

tenants  It*s  a  drearj^  world.  No,  I  will  not  be 
guilty  of  sinning/*  he  corrected  himself,  "I  have 
every  reason  to  be  grateful,  because  I  would  have 
taken  an  oath  that  I  should  never  live  to  see  this  day; 
as  a  soldier." 

H«  eased  his  necktie  with  his  hand,  for  he  suddenly 
had  a  sensation  as  if  somebody  was  trying  to  choke 
him  to  death. 

He  banged  his  fist  on  the  table  so  furiously  that 
the  count,  who  had  been  engaged  in  admiring  his  own 
polished  boots  was  startled.  The  colonel  noticed  it, 
but  was  not  in  the  least  concerned.  "  It  is  a  scandal," 
he  burst  out,  "  We  successfully  navigated  around  two 
cliffs,  only  to  encounter  a  third  one  called  Winkler. 
God  forgive  me,  but  I  wish  he  had  never  been  bom, 
or  at  least  had  never  come  to  us.  He  has  had  little 
fuD  out  of  it,  neither  have  we."  The  commander 
passed  his  right  hand  nervously  over  his  thin  hair. 
"  It  is  easy  for  you  to  talk,  dear  Count,  and  to  tell  me : 
*We  shall  regain  our  social  standing  only  if  we  get 
rid  of  Winkler.'  You  called  my  attention  to  the  in- 
tolerable conditions  existing  among  the  corps  of  oflB- 
cers,  and  you  tell  me  there  will  be  no  change  until 
we  are  rid  of  Winkler.  Easily  said;  but  how  can  it 
be  done  ?  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  request  his  trans- 
fer. If  His  Majesty  finds  out  the  true  reason  for 
my  action ;  if  His  Majesty  should  have  an  inkling  that 
there  is  a  single  man  in  the  whole  corps  of  officers 
who  does  not  highly  appreciate  Winkler's  action  in 
reporting  the  abuses  against  the  men,  then — "  the 
colonel  shook  himself —  "  We  can't  think  of  it^  there 


n,^-...-*- -  .i:.-^  .^JJ,  -  -    ■.-j:.--i:i.w-^.Vi,  -J -.-.'-:;  „.  „  --^.  i -1*<- -"-^r^^-^if  t^.j-j.  .:^i^jfc,^.\j; .  -      ^  -       ---■^v^-^*^^  ". 


■■^\  r?TlV^P.)^pi.l.>l(  4^ 


254  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

will  be  a  crash,  simply  awful,  I  have  told  you  before 
that  His  Majesty  spoke  of  Winkler  in  terms  of  high 
praise  and  appreciation.  If  I  were  to  tell  him  the 
man  does  not  fit  in  our  midst,  we  should  have  such 
a  time  that  all  the  previous  ungracious  remarks  of 
His  Majesty  would  only  be  child's-play  in  compari- 
son. I  can't  have  that.  With  all  the  reverence  for 
my  gracious  king,  I  say  to  myself :  *  Don't  go  to  your 
prince,  unless  you  are  called.'  That's  why  I  don't 
recommend  Winkler's  transfer,  because  if  we  are  just 
we  must  admit  there  is  nothing  against  him." 

The  count  polished  his  monocle  with  deliberation. 
Then  he  remarked :  "  What  the  Herr  Colonel  just 
said,  is  perfectly  true.  I  thought  about  it  last  even- 
ing, and  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  it  would  be 
better  if  Winkler's  transfer  did  not  originate  with 
us.  He  himself  must  apply  for  it.  If  he  does  not 
wish  to  do  that,  he  ought  to  be  persuaded  to  take  a 
year's  furlough.  Meantime  he  might  consider  the 
whole  question  and  not  don  the  uniform  again.  If 
he  does  don  it  again  after  all  the  experiences  he  has 
had  with  us,  he  will  feel  the  desire  to  reenter  not  our 
regiment,  but  some  other  troop." 

The  colonel  listened  attentively,  and  nodded  as- 
sent. "  That  might  do,  dear  Count.  That  way  out 
is  not  bad.  Of  course  I  should  give  the  warmest  sup- 
port to  his  request  for  leave.  There  is  no  doubt  it 
would  be  granted,  considering  how  well  disposed  His 
Majesty  is  toward  him.  If  we  could  only  get  him  to 
hand  in  such  a  request." 


.■■^^;  J-.V-- 


,  '<?".  "'It 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  255 

"We  can  manage  that,  Herr  Colonel,  I  shall  talk 
to  him  as  soon  as  I  have  the  opportunity/' 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  when  the  commander 
and  the  count  held  this  conversation  about  George's 
future,  George  conversed  with  Olga  on  the  same  sub- 
ject "I  am  tired  of  it,  Olga,  I  shall  remain  here 
no  longer.  I  am  tired  of  storming  the  wall  that 
divides  me  from  the  rest.  I  made  up  my  mind  to- 
day to  hand  in  my  resignation." 

Lately  Ogla  had  gone  to  George  almost  daily,  and 
he  had  unbosomed  himself  to  her  with  great  freedom. 
She  had  foreseen  that  sooner  or  later  it  would  come 
to  this.  Still  she  felt  shocked  at  his  words  and  tried 
to  make  him  change  his  mind. 

It  was  useless.  • 

"  At  least  ask  for  a  transfer  to  another  regiment," 
she  begged. 

George  shook  his  head.  "  It  is  no  use,  child.  I 
am  sure  I  should  not  be  sent  to  a  miserable  frontier 
garrison  where  one  becomes  an  idiot.  On  the  contrary, 
I  should  be  sent  to  a  city.  What  could  I  do  there? 
I  know  I  might  play  a  role,  to  an  extent,  because  I  had 
been  with  the  guard,  though  only  for  a  short  time. 
That  counts  for  much  in  the  provinces.  Again,  I  am 
rich.  For  the  latter  reason  alone,  I  should  be  highly 
welcome.  All  the  world  would  be  glad  to  borrow  of 
me.  I  know  that  from  my  former  garrison.  In 
those  small  towns  every  newcomer  of  whom  one  may 
be  able  to  borrow  is  celebrated  and  feted  like  a  god. 
They  all  borrow,  from  the  captain  down  to  the  young- 
est lieutenant.    Even  the  ensign  drinks  himself  into 


'■"■-'..   ,1  !,j(pptgntijjiuL ji.fim  *  ■  1 


Jt««  PinST-CLASS  MEN 

a  state  of  courage,  and  humbly  begs  the  Herr  Lieu- 
tenant to  let  him  have  twenty  marks.  I  have  been 
there.  I  never  asked  for  a  written  acknowledgment 
on  lending  the  money,  Ijut  they  always  gave  it  with- 
out waiting  for  the  request.  In  such  matters  they  are 
punctilious  about  the  form,  but  nobody  ever  redeemed 
his  paper.  All  the  documents  are  filed  in  my  desk, 
a  contribution  to  the  history  of  the  culture  and  ethics 
of  lieutetiants,  a  characterization  of  the  *  first-class 
men.' " 

He  rose,  opened  a  drawer,  and  busied  himself  with 
the  papers  he  took  from  a  portfolio. 

"  See,  Olga,  you  needn't  read  the  names,  they  are  of 
no  interest  to  you.  Here  it  says :  '  Hereby  I  pledge 
myself  upon  my  word  of  honor  to  refund  the  amount 
of  five  hundred  marks  lent  to  me  not  later  than  within 
the  next  three  months.' — '  Hereby  I  pledge  my  word 
of  honor  to  refund  the  thousand  marks  lent  to  me  to- 
day, the  latest  at ' — so  it  goes  through  the  whole  bun- 
dle. Darling,  I  have  dozens  of  them,  dozens  of  un- 
redeemed words  of  honor.  Those  who  violated  their 
pledges  are  strutting  around  in  the  world  as  proud 
officers."  He  was  silent  for  a  moment,  then  said: 
"The  lieutenants  are  men  entirely  different  from 
others.  They  form  as  it  were  a  class  by  themselves. 
Their  easy-going  ways  and  their  ideas  on  certain 
points  are  truly  ingenious.  I  feel  sure  of  one  thing, 
that  I  do  not  understand  those  *  first-class  men,'  and 
because  I  don't  understand  them,  1  have  no  excuse  to 
offer  for  their  actions,  thoughts  and  sentiments.  I 
am  ready  to  forgive  them  what  they  did  to  me,  though 


— epv^T"  T>.C»(  '.'^r  • 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  257 

it  comes  hard,  but  I  can  scarcely  look  on  calmly  when 
they  pose  so  grandly  before  the  world.  There  is  hardly 
any  class  whose  general  cultivation  is  so  meagre  as 
that  of  the  lieutenants ;  I  could  almost  say  they  can't 
even  read  and  write  correctlv/* 

"Oh,  oh,  George,"  Olga  interposed,  "one  should 
not  exaggerate,  even  in  anger." 

"  I  am  not  angry.  I  am  only  sorry  to  know  how 
wretched  conditions  are  with  our  corps  of  officers. 
Don't  you  believe  I  said  too  much  just  now.  Granted 
our  lieutenants  can  read;  can  they  write?  Will  you 
look  through  the  begging  letters  and  the  acknowledg- 
ments of  debt  I  showed  you  a  little  while  ago  ?  You 
would  find  there  specimens  of  style  compared  with 
which  a  schoolboy  would  appear  as  a  profound  scholar. 
That  isn't  all.  You  would  also  find  an  orthography 
that  would  bring  public  censure  to  a  pupil  in  one  of 
the  lower  classes  of  a  grammar  school.  You  laugh, 
Olga,  but  what  I  say  is  the  truth.  Of  course,  my  re- 
marks concern  only  the  lieutenants,  not  the  men  of 
higher  rank.  Still  I  have  frequently  noticed  how 
even  the  higher  superiors  were  embarrassed  if  they 
were  suddenly  called  upon  to  prepare  a  report.  There 
was  hesitation  and  hard  work  over  every  phrase.  It 
was  almost  pitiable.  In  spite  of  all,  in  spite  of  the  lack 
of  elementary  knowledge,  such  arrogance,  such  self- 
assertion  !  Every  officer  should  be  proud  of  his  posi- 
tion and  his  calling,  of  course ;  but  pride  should  not 
turn  into  a  mania.  In  former  years  people  were 
wont  to  speak  of  the  young,  well-educated,  knightly 
lieutenants,  the  perfect  noblemen.    Where  are  they 


,,  J '  ^  VA,"  V  VII  ■"  rv^  I  ■'•jyt5^'^^?^*'^»if 


258  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

now?  Go  about  with  a  lantern  looking  for  them! 
During  my  term  of  service  I  scarcely  made  the 
acquaintance  of  one.  The  few  who  come  from  the 
home  of  their  parents  fresh  and  natural,  upon  enter- 
ing the  army  are  soon  affected  by  the  caste  spirit, 
soon  filled  with  the  devil  of  pride.  Just  ask  the  par- 
ents whose  sons  have  become  officers  whether  they  are 
not  often  startled  by  the  arrogance  and  the  supercili- 
ous manner  of  the  young  fellows  who  deem  the  best 
just  good  enough  for  them;  whether  they  have  not 
often  rued  it  bitterly  that  they  allowed  their  sons  to 
enter  a  calling  which  estranges  them  from  their  own 
parents,  who  become  to  them  only  a  financial  resource 
to  supply  the  means  for  their  expensive  mode  of  life." 

"  George,  you  surely  exaggerate,"  Olga  expostu- 
lated. 

"  You  think  so  ?  I  can  only  tell  you  I  have  known 
young  lieutenants  who  were  ashamed  that  their 
fathers  were  school  principals  or  something  similar, 
but  were  by  no  means  ashamed  to  draw  money  from 
home  constantly  in  order  to  appear  before  the  world 
in  becoming  style.  They  want  to  make  it  seem,  in 
fact  they  think  they  must  make  it  seem,  as  if  they 
came  from  distinguished  houses.  I  was  present  once 
and  heard  a  lieutenant  say  his  father  was  a  pensioned 
officer,  because  he  was  ashamed  to  own  the  old  gentle- 
man was  a  practising  physician." 

"  Pf  ui,  that  isn't  nice." 

Therefore  it  happened  that  Count  Wettbom  met  no 
difficulties  when  he  endeavored  to  persuade  George 
to  take  a  furlough.    He   was   surprised   when   he 


T^B^';   , -r    T-"c»~;-,  • 'I.  ■---;^-- ^-  ■:t--.  '  't\"'^^>^^^zW^^^"^   ~r'T^.~f^'<'"-'-^^  '  -       ■  '^  .  .IS*'*:*'  yT^  ^ 


PIBST-CLA88  MEN  259 

learned  that  George  was  firmly  determmed  to  hand 
in  his  resignation  and  to  enter  his  father's  factory; 
but,  of  course,  he  made  no  effort  to  bring  Winkler  to 
a  change  of  mind. 

"When  do  you  expect  to  hand  in  your  applica- 
tion?'' 

"Within  a  few  days.  My  father  wrote  he  was 
commanded  to  wait  upon  His  Majesty,  and  I  expect 
him  here  early  next  week.  Although  I  am  entirely 
master  of  my  own  actions,  can  stay  or  go  as  I  please, 
I  consider  it  my  duty  to  inform  my  father  first  of  my 
purpose." 

"Certainly,  certainly,"  Count  Wettbom  assented. 
"  A  week  sooner  or  later  does  not  matter." 

That  was  also  the  view  of  the  comrades  when  they 
heard  that  Winkler  intended  to  go.  Whether  he^ 
stayed  a  week  longer  or  not  made  no  difference.  The. 
main  thing  was  that  they  would  be  rid  of  him. 

"  Boys,  let  us  be  a  little  nice  to  him  during  the  last 
few  days,"  said  a  comrade,  "  let  us  act  as  if  we  werfr 
sorry  for  his  leaving  us.  After  all,  it  isn't  his  fault 
that  he  in  no  wise  fits  in  our  circle.  It  will  be  advan- 
tageous for  us  if  the  memory  of  his  last  few  days  is 
a  pleasant  one  to  him.  In  his  later  life  he  will  often 
tell  of  the  time  when  he  enjoyed  the  honor  of  belong- 
ing to  Tjs.  Though  if  s  quite  immaterial  what  he  may 
say  about  us  to  the  circle  of  burghers  with  whom 
he  will  associate  hereafter,  it  can't  do  us  any  harm  if 

he  says:  'The  Yellow  Butterflies  are  a  d fine 

regiment;  so  easy  and  genial.    They  are  charming 


;rw»i»'7JV',W",  *•'■,*" 


7-    ^^l^v'^W*^*!; 


260  FIB8T-CLA8S  MEN 

fellows,  cherishing  the  spirit  of  comradeship  better 
than  any  other  regiment  in  the  army/  " 

The  proposition  met  with  little  approval.  "For 
his  own  sake  he  will  never  tell  how  we  treated  him 
and  how  we  frightened  him  away." 

At  last  they  agreed  to  show  no  outward  resentment 
during  the  short  time  remaining,  but  to  behave  with 
a  certain  formal  courtesy. 

Winkler  could  hardly  suppress  a  derisive  smile 
when  he  noticed  the  sudden  change  of  sentiment 
toward  him.  Words  of  irony  rose  to  his  lips  when  the 
comrades  inquired  about  his  future  plans,  when  they 
feigned  interest  in  everything  concerning  him.  Often 
he  was  tempted  to  exclaim:  "Don't  trouble  your- 
selves, don't  dissimulate,  you  can't  hide  your  pleasure 
at  getting  rid  of  me,"  but  he  did  not  speak  out.  The 
officers  would  not  own  their  true  sentiments.  What 
was  the  use  ? 

Once  at  noon  a  comrade  invited  him  to  a  glass  of 
champagne.  He  had  won  a  few  hundred  marks  in  the 
Prussian  lottery,  and  obtained  permission  from  the 
head  of  the  table  to  celebrate  the  event  properly. 
Winkler  hardly  trusted  his  ears  when  he  heard  the 
other  say  to  him :  "  Won't  you  grant  me  the  pleasure 
of  drinking  a  glass  of  champagne  with  me  ?  " 

At  first  George  felt  like  making  a  warm  reply: 
"  Since  I  have  been  here  not  a  soul  has  shown  me  any 
friendliness,  I  decline  it  to-day."  Anger  and  indig- 
nation rose  within  him  that  they  should  dare  to  ex- 
tend an  invitation  to  him  now.  Suddenly  his  humor 
gained  the  upper  hand.    He  found  the  offer  extremely 


*«T"^y«T-v^-- 


[  '^!^."^v  ? 


FIRST-CLA88  MEN  261 

comical  and  accepted  it  with  thanks.  "  Only  on  one 
condition,"  he  said,  following  a  sudden  impulse,  and 
speaking  in  a  loud  voice  so  that  all  must  hear  him, 
"  On  the  day  when  I  hand  in  my  resignation,  I  should 
like  to  give  to  the  officers  a  solemn  farewell  dinner.  I 
can  accept  an  invitation  now  only  on  condition  that  I 
shall  have  occasion  to  reciprocate.  Won't  you  come," 
he  turned  to  his  host,  "and  you — and  you — and 
you?" 

He  asked  every  one  at  the  long  tahle  separately. 
T^ot  one  of  them  declined.  They  all  thought  the  same 
thing.  If  it  give^  pleasure  to  him,  why  shouldn't  we 
have  a  royal  time  at  his  expense  ?  Since  he  is  going  to 
leave,  it  does  not  put  us  under  any  obligation. 

When  George  had  received  all  the  acceptances,  he 
felt  a  sensation  almost  of  loathing  for  his  comrades. 
Were  they  not  ashamed  to  accept  a  kindness  from  the 
man  they  had  treated  so  insultingly?  He  had  not 
been  in  earnest  with  his  invitation.  He  had  counted 
on  it  as  a  certainty  that  each  and  every  one  of  them 
would  find  some  excuse  for  declining,  and  he  had 
enjoyed  in  advance  the  variety  of  the  excuses  offered. 
But  they  had  all  accepted.  Not  only  that,  but  the 
gentlemen  inquired  where  and  when  the  dinner 
would  take  place,  hoping  that  it  would  not  be  at  the 
casino.  The  rooms  there  were  very  nice,  but  otherwise 
— always  the  same  kind  of  food.  If  there  was  to  be 
a  dinner,  he  had  better  arrange  for  it  in  one  of  the 
finest  restaurants.  He  could  afford  it,  one  large  bill 
more  or  less  didn't  matter  anything  to  him.    It  was 


I -<'-»r«-Tf  "f^i^'* 


262  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

to  be  hoped  that  the  champagne  would  be  genuine 
French. 

"  The  other  day  I  heard  a  brilliant  hon  mot  about 
that,"  said  a  comrade,  "  let  me  see  what  was  it  ?  Oh 
yes,  *  Pour  for  your  guest  German  champagne  and 
tell  him  it  is  French,  it's  no  use,  he  won't  drink  it; 
but  give  him  French  champagne  and  tell  him  it  is 
German,  and  drink  it  he  will/  Better  mind  that, 
Winkler." 

George  promised  to  remember  it,  and  to  send  out 
the  invitations  as  soon  as  he  had  spoken  to  his  father. 

"  When  will  your  father  come  ?  " 

George  did  not  know  himself.  He  expected  him 
every  day,  and  with  him  the  Yellow  Butterflies.  They 
began  to  get  restive,  as  the  old  gentleman  delayed. 
What  if  he  shouldn't  come  at  all?  Perhaps  it  was 
only  a  pretense  on  the  part  of  George  to  talk  about 
his  resignation,  and  thereby  to  bring  about  a  change 
of  sentiment.  Perhaps  the  old  man  would  appear 
only  in  a  year  and  a  day.  Perhaps  the  whole  affair 
was  only  a  trick  on  the  part  of  George  to  cheat  the 
others  and  to  make  sport  of  them. 

They  were  in  a  state  of  anxiety,  and  therefore  all 
the  more  jubilant  when  George's  comrade,  Freiherr 
von  Masemann,  said  in  the  casino  one  day  at  noon: 
"The  manufacturer  of  breeches  buttons  is  here.  I 
saw  him  last  evening  at  a  restaurant.'* 

A  thanksgiving  rose  from  every  heart.  Then 
came  the  question :  "  What  does  he  look  like  ?  " 

"  Simply  funny.  The  man  wears  a  ready-made 
necktie,  loose  cuffs,  and  a  pair  of  boots  that  show  at 


.Aj 


'WP''*'.^'    i-'-,- ".      '-       ;-.  --:*-■-.  T*'^~^t^s^T''^^ 


FIRST'CLASS  MEN  363 

the  first  glance  they  have  not  been  built  at  the  capital. 
At  table  the  man  cuts  the  bread  with  a  knife,  instead 
of  breaking  it." 

"Pfui  Teufel!" 

It  was  an  outcry  of  sincerest  indignation  that 
passed  along  the  line, 

"  Do  stop/'  begged  a  young  lieutenant,  "  consider, 
we  have  only  just  finished  our  dinner." 

"  Calm  yourself,"  the  Freiherr  continued,  "  with 
all  his  faults,  the  old  man  has  one  good  point." 

"And  that  is?" 

"  He  has  a  daughter." 

"  Ah,  really  ?  Winkler  never  told  us  anything  about 
her." 

They  talked  together  surrounding  the  speaker. 

"  Pretty  ?  "  one  asked  at  last.  The  others  pressed 
still  closer. 

The  Freiherr  deliberately  waited,  and  said  at  last: 
"Pretty?  Boys,  I  can  tell  you,  she  is  more  than 
pretty,  and  though  she  comes  from  the  provinces,  she 
is  dead  stylish.  You  ought  to  see  her  figure,  I  can 
tell  you — "  he  clacked  with  his  tongue. 

"  Did  you  have  yourself  presented  ?  " 

"  I  regret,  no.  I  happened  to  be  at  the  restaurant 
with  some  acquaintances,  and  found  no  oportunity 
to  disengage  myself,  but  this  evening  it  may  be  man- 
aged. I  heard  accidentally  how  the  old  manufacturer 
of  breeches  buttons  arranged  to  have  a  table  reserved 
for  him  to-day.  The  rest  will  be  my  business.  Once 
I  know  the  young  lady,  I  shall  conquer.* 


7*' .  vy^PTT  rr*-**! 


''T 


■^^rVT'.,  '  <!J'l1"B«^TnVr 


264  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

"  In  other  words,  that  means  you  will  try  to  catch 
the  gold  fish/' 

Freiherr  von  Masemann  calmly  lighted  a  cigarette. 
"  Somebody  will  marry  her,  why  shouldn't  I  be  the 
man  ?  " 

"  Very  true ;  but  do  you  believe  that  your  coup  will 
be  succesf  ul  ?  " 

The  Freiherr  shrugged  his  shoulders.  "Who 
knows  ?  I  can  try.  At  the  worst  I  may  be  refused. 
Why  should  the  old  man  say  no,  once  I  have  succeeded 
in  turning  the  daughter's  head  ?  My  family  is  with- 
out blemish.  I  myself  am  not  any  worse  than  the 
rest,  and  what  few  debts  I  have  don't  cut  a  great 
figure.  The  old  man  has  got  the  means  and  may  be 
glad  to  get  an  aristocratic  son-in-law  for  his  money." 

The  others  agreed  with  him.  What  reason  could 
there  be  why  father  and  daughter  should  not  receive 
the  Freiherr  with  open  arms  ?  Some  even  considered 
the  engagement  a  fait  accompli. 

"  How  do  you  stand  with  Winkler  ?  "  one  of  them 
asked. 

"  He  may  have  a  word  to  say  about  it." 

"  Our  friendship  is  none  too  great,"  observed  Mase- 
mann, "but  Winkler  may  be  glad  if  I  become  his 
brother-in-law.  Thereby,  he  continues  in  some  rela- 
tion with  our  regiment.  That  is  of  great  benefit 
and  advantage  to  him.  Just  think  what  a  position 
in  society  the  man  obtains,  if  he  is  able  to  say :  '  My 
brother-in-law,  the  Freiherr  von  Masemann.'  That 
will  be  to  him  almost  as  good  as  if  he  himself  was 
a  nobleman.  Of  course,  I  should  keep  my  brother-in- 


■^P«;(jj^i^i,f,,ll  liu.j  ■w,^i«i^.i.ii.«*.jlPjjijp|pt;  V   _,    .»i(.P4J,i|Um«,l<^)!?f--'yi"^-    ■<>■.  lIlSll.'W.TTf-    -       -'    :"•■"•   ■.  '^F'TEWii.f  ■    ¥75 


FIR8T-CLAS8  MEN  265 

law  at  a  distance  as  far  as  possible,  I  should  know 
how  to  prevent  him  from  overrunning  my  house. 
Well,  that  will  be  settled  later  on.  We  will  try  our 
luck  this  evening." 

But  the  noble  Freiherr  had  no  luck  that  evening. 
He  waited  in  vain  for  the  Winklers.  They  were  in 
George's  quarters.  The  commercial  councillor  told 
of  the  audience  he  had  with  the  King.  He  reported 
how  His  Majesty  had  graciously  inquired  after 
George,  and  expressed  his  satisfaction  that  George 
had  acted  so  properly  in  the  matter  of  the  ill-treat- 
ment of  the  soldiers.  Old  Winkler  reported  how  glad 
the  King  was  to  have  only  good  words  about  George 
from  the  corps  of  officers,  that  he  had  learned  with 
satisfaction  how  well  George  stood  with  his  comrades, 
and  how  really  sorry  he,  the  King,  was  that  unfore- 
seen circumstances  did  not  enable  him  to  keep  his 
promise  to  have  him  at  table  with  him  to-morrow. 

"  Didn't  I  always  tell  you  so  ?  "  the  old  man  con- 
cluded; "do  you  recollect  how  you  wanted  to  give 
up  the  very  first  day?  Who  was  right  after  all, 
you  or  I  ?  " 

George  exchanged  a  quick  glance  with  his  sister 
with  whom  he  had  talked,  informing  her  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  spoil  his  father's  pleasure  on  the  first 
day  of  their  reunion.  He  had  also  wished  to  prevent 
his  father  from  talking  to  the  King  about  his  pro- 
posed resignation.  He  had  kept  his  own  counsel  so 
far,  now  he  must  speak.  His  father's  last  words  made 
it  easy  for  him. 

"  What  if  I  was  right  after  all,  Father?    What  if 


^l^-^^jj^jr-^ 


^^rv 


r^^Efra!^ 


266  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

now  I  am  just  as  much  a  stranger  in  the  regiment 
as  I  was  at  the  beginning,  if  my  position  has  been 
made  worse  by  that  which  the  King  praised,  if  what 
the  gentlemen  told  about  my  friendly  relations  with 
the  comrades  was  a  falsehood  in  order  not  to  rouse 
the  King's  anger  still  more  ?    What  then  ?  " 

The  father  looked  at  his  son  with  staring  eyes.  "  I 
do  not  understand  you." 

"Then  I  will  speak  more  plainly."  He  told  at 
length  how  affairs  had  gone  with  him  from  the  first 
day  in  the  regiment,  how  it  was  expected  he  would 
resign,  how  he  was  determined  to  do  it,  not  in  order 
to  please  the  Yellow  Butterflies,  but  in  order  to  have 
some  pleasure  in  life  again. 

The  old  man  listened  with  amazement.  His  fist 
came  down  upon  the  table.  "  If  I  forbid  you  to  do 
it,  if  I  command  you  to  remain  an  officer  ?  " 

George  looked  at  him  calmly.  "You  won't  com- 
mand me  to  do  that.  Father.  You  yourself  left  it 
with  me  to  quit  any  moment  I  chose.  You  will  not 
take  back  your  word." 

"If  I  do,  if  I  don't  want  you  to  let  the  others 
triumph  in  your  defeat  ?  " 

"  Then  I  shall  go  in  any  case.  Father,  I  am  of  age 
and  master  of  my  own  resolutions." 

The  old  man  lost  his  composure.  "  If  I  disinherit 
you?" 

"  Even  then  I  shall  go.  I  have  saved  enough  to  be 
able  to  live  without  care  for  the  immediate  future. 
As  your  son  I  shall  find  some  occupation." 

Again  the  father  was  on  the  point  of  exploding, 


■Tli^tmm^^j^^prfyvrr^^fm^r^^'rv^irK'K'i^^vrt^Ftp^r^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  267 

when  Elsa  interrupted  the  conversation,  closely  nest- 
ling to  the  old  gentleman.  "  Give  up  your  opposi- 
tion/* she  begged ;  "  George  talked  about  it  with  me 
yesterday  and  to-day  at  length  and  with  details.  I 
too  tried  to  make  him  change  his  mind,  and  failed. 
He  feels  far  too  unhappy  as  an  officer.  How  can  you 
wish  to  force  him  to  endure  the  life  any  longer?" 

The  old  man  sat  in  silence  a  long  time.  "  Mother 
will  be  beyond  herself,"  he  said  at  last. 

Brother  and  sister  exchanged  a  quick  glance.  They 
knew  they  had  won,  but  they  took  good  care  not  to 
give  expression  to  their  joy. 

"  Don't  you  find  it  hard  to  leave  the  army?  " 

"How  should  I,  Father,  after  the  innumerable 
humiliations  I  have  endured?  I  doff  the  uniform 
gladly.  With  my  ideas,  I  don't  belong  there,  though 
I  took  pleasure  in  my  duties." 

"Is  not  every  officer  a  soldier  with  his  whole 
heart?"  Elsa  inquired. 

George  laughed  aloud.  "You  innocent  angel!  I 
can  assure  you,  half  the  lieutenants  would  resign 
forthwith  if  they  were  in  a  better  position  financially. 
The  best  proof  of  my  assertion  is  that  every  lieu- 
tenant is  looking  around  for  a  rich  wife.  Having 
found  her,  he  either  resigns  immediately,  or  he  stays 
only  so  long  as  he  enjoys  the  service.  If  it  becomes 
too  wearisome  for  him,  he  throws  the  royal  coat  at 
the  feet  of  his  superior,  and  says :  *  See  how  you  will 
get  along  without  me.  Make  other  people  crazy  with 
your  nerves.'  Thank  the  Lord  I  am  no  longer  obliged 
to  submit  to  everything.    Of  course  there  are  excep- 


rj-T^^"^^  "s^T^  '^^.j  p^^r-"' 


268  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

tions,  the  ambitious  and  those  eager  to  succeed,  those 
that  dream  of  the  red  stripes  on  their  pantaloons  and 
of  the  title  *  Excellency/  They  may  find  it  hard  if 
some  day  they  are  obliged  to  go.  Finally,  there  are 
certainly  some  who  are  officers  body  and  soul,  but 
their  number  is  small.  Where  do  you  find  them? 
Not  in  the  lower  grades.  I  hardly  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  a  single  lieutenant  who  did  not  curse 
and  swear  about  every  matter  of  duty  he  was  ordered 
to  perform,  who  would  have  not  preferred  to  resign, 
had  he  only  known  how  to  get  a  living.  Harsh  as  it 
sounds,  that  is  the  truth.  If  a  lieutenant  says,  *I 
am  glad  I  am  an  officer,'  he  refers  to  his  social  posi- 
tion. He  scarcely  ever  feels  that  way  because  he 
enjoys  the  details  of  drilling.  As  with  the  lieutenant, 
so  it  is  with  the  captain.  There  is  no  superior  who 
does  not  harass  him,  make  life  a  hell  to  him,  hold  him 
to  account  for  every  petty  misdeed  of  his  men.  Under 
such  circumstances,  how  can  you  expect  joy  in  the 
service?  It  must  inevitably  die  out.  Such  a  poor 
captain  pockets  everything.  He  stays  on  because  he 
must,  because  he  has  a  wife  and  children  and  no 
money;  because  he  finds  himself  under  the  cruel 
necessity  of  earning  a  higher  pension  in  order  to  be 
able  to  live  when  old.  He  slaves  and  drudges  from 
early  morning  until  late  in  the  evening.  In  most 
cases  he  fails  to  attain  his  goal,  he  ends  by  becoming 
a  victim  of  misery  and  want.  If  it  comes  hard  on  him 
to  take  off  the  uniform,  he  sheds  no  tear  for  the 
service,  but  he  weeps  over  his  failure  in  life,  because 
still  in  possession  of  all  his  mental  and  physical  f  acul- 


--3r7fVC'S«^7E'"^»T'T*p(|?75^^»»r"'^''FT*'C^^»T^^ 


FIBST-CLA88  MEN  269 

ties  he  finds  himself  doomed  to  inactivity  and  to 
eteinal  financial  worries.  You  find  joy  in  the  service 
among  the  higher  grades,  but  not  among  the  lower 
ones,  at  least  not  among  the  infantry." 

The  father  was  in  ill  humor.  He  controlled  him- 
self as  best  he  could,  though  from  time  to  time  his 
anger  burst  out,  and  George  and  his  sister  could  only 
calm  him  with  difficulty. 

"  Are  you  really  going  to  hand  in  your  resignation 
to-morrow?  Won't  you  consider  it  for  another  four 
weeks?  Hadn't  you  better  first  take  furlough  for  a 
year  or  so  ? '' 

George  shook  his  head.  "I  must  go.  Father,  the 
sooner  the  better.  My  place  is  not  among  the  officers 
with  their  more  than  singular  views." 

As  if  to  confirm  his  words,  the  servant  just  then 
brought  in  a  letter. 

"Answer  necessary?" 

"No." 

The  servant  left  and  George  opened  the  note. 

"What  troubles  you?"  asked  Elsa,  who  had  ob- 
served him  while  he  was  reading  the  letter. 

He  sprang  to  his  feet.  "  In  my  life  I  never 
encountered  sudh  impudence.  Listen.  Let  me  first 
remind  you  of  the  comrade  from  my  regiment  who 
sat  in  the  same  restaurant  yesterday." 

"Ah,  the  awkward  youth  who  first  did  not  know 
whether  he  ought  to  notice  us  at  all,  and  afterward 
was  shameless  enough  to  try  to  flirt  with  me,"  said 
Elsa.     "What  about  him?" 

"  Not  much,"  George  replied  with  apparent  equan- 


-■TJl^fl,-   T'Jl" 


270  FIB8T-GLA8S  MEN 

imity,  "He  only  asks  leave  to  apply  for  your 
hand." 

Father  and  daughter  looked  at  each  other  in 
amazement.  At  last  Elsa  burst  into  laughter,  finally 
echoed  by  the  rest.  "He  doesn't  know  me  at  all," 
she  observed. 

"That's  by  no  means  necessary.  The  noble  Frei- 
herr  knows,  your  finances.  He  knows  you  are  a  good 
catch,  and  that  is  enough  for  him.  A  man  can  live 
comfortably  without  love,  but  not  without  money. 
Listen,  what  the  good  soul  writes.  Let  me  tell  you, 
though,  that  from  the  first  there  were  few  comrades 
with  whom  I  was  on  such  a  bad  footing  as  I  was  with 
him." 

He  read : 

"My  very  dear  Mr.  Winkler: 

"I  sit  lonely  and  deserted  here  in  the  restaurant. 
For  an  hour  I  have  been  looking  impatiently  toward 
the  door  through  which  I  hoped  to  see  you  and  your 
highly  respected  relatives  enter.  I  was  an  accidental 
witness  when  your  father  yesterday  ordered  his  table 
for  this  evening. 

"  You  may  have  divined  already  without  my  saying 
it  that  I  went  to  the  restaurant  to-day  in  the  silent 
hope  of  being  presented  to  your  sister  and  to  your 
highly  respected  father.  I  must  confess  openly  that 
never  yet  did  a  young  girl  make  so  deep  an  impression 
upon  me  as  your  sister.  Although  I  have  only  had 
the  opportunity  of  observing  her  from  a  distance, 
still  I  have  no  doubt  that  in  such  a  beautiful  body 


'■-  ^•■^'^^  ^  , 


-*?P^?*«S!^".T"*""^ 


FIB8T-CLA88  MEN  271 

dwells  a  beautiful  soul.  I  have  only  this  desire,  to 
be  permitted  to  make  her  acquaintance.  In  considera- 
tion of  the  friendliness  and  true  comradeship  which 
has  always  existed  between  us,  I  ask  for  permission 
to  wait  to-morrow  upon  your  respected  relatives  in 
order  that  you  may  present  me  to  them.  Of  course 
I  am  at  the  disposal  of  your  father  at  any  moment 
with  information  about  myself  and  my  financial  con- 
dition. Finally,  I  beg  you  not  to  take  amiss  what 
may  be  unusual  in  these  lines;  I  know  that  your 
father  is  to  stay  only  a  few  days,  and  I  should  not 
like  your  sister  to  leave  the  city  without  being  allowed 
an  opportunity  to  approach  her. 

"  Begging  you  to  present  my  kindest  regards  to 
your  much-respected  relatives,  whom  unfortunately 
I  have  not  yet  the  honor  to  know,  I  remain,  with 
sincere  greetings,  your  always  devoted 

"  Freihere  von  Masemann." 

"  What  do  you  say  to  that  ?  "  said  George. 

"  Is  it  possible ! "  exclaimed  the  old  commercial 
councillor,  "  I  must  say  I  have  experienced  nothing 
like  it  in  my  life." 

"What  do  you  say,  Elsa?" 

"  I  really  don't  know  whether  to  laugh  or  to  feel 
vexed.  What  I  should  like  to  understand  is  whether 
he  does  not  feel  ashamed  to  write  like  that." 

George  laughed  with  derision.  "He  ashamed? 
Elsa,  do  you  know  so  little  about  a  lieutenant?  Why 
should  he  feel  ashamed  ?  Your  beauty  has  struck  his 
senses,  still  more  the  thought  of  your  rich  dower.    He 


'^■^^^JtTf 


272  FIBST-CLA8S  MEN 

cheerfully  proceeds  to  the  attack  like  Blucher  at 
Waterloo.  If  he  wins,  it  is  well.  If  he  meets  with 
a  refusal,  he  may  try  his  luck  elsewhere.  By-and-by 
he  will  catch  his  gold-fish.  The  more  impertinent 
such  a  fellow  is,  the  easier  he  reaches  the  goal  of  his 
desires." 

"  Not  with  us ! "  the  commercial  councillor  burst 
out.  "  Pray  tell  your  most  noble  comrade  from  me 
to-morrow " 

George  interrupted  him.  "  Never  mind,  Father,  I 
shall  know  how  to  answer,  and  my  reply  will  not  give 
him  much  joy.  I  shall  ask  him  how  it  was  that  he 
couldn't  associate  with  me,  and  yet  proposes  to  marry 
my  sister.  In  one  sense,  Elsa,  it  is  a  pity  that  you 
can't  stay  here  a  few  days  longer,  for  then  the  whole 
corps  of  officers  would  be  at  your  little  feet.  From 
fhe  oldest  staff  officer  down  to  the  youngest  lieu- 
tenant, they  would  all  court  my  favor  in  order  to  have 
in  me  a  warm  advocate  with  you.  In  the  face  of  your 
millions,  even  the  lieutenant  who  is  proudest  of  his 
nobility  and  boasts  forever  of  his  ancestors  would 
recognize  the  civilian  class,  and  would  condescend  to 
name  you  as  his  noble  consort." 

"A  fine  company,"  the  commercial  councillor 
snorted. 

"  Thanks  for  the  honor  of  being  married  for  my 
money,"  said  Elsa.  "  I  believe  I  shall  not  marry  at 
all." 

George  looked  teasingly  at  his  sister.  "  Oh,  some 
day  your  heart  will  catch  fire.  That  is  as  it  should 
be.    How  old  are  you  now  ?    Nineteen  or  twenty  ? 


I » 


,--■■..  ■■■■■^..LaMiaj^ 


'^^pwr^V   ?--"'iV'-;'  *J  -  \  ■/.-.      >  ■:    ;  -'     -V   -•  .*-  'T^     T-    :  .^~lr*^>yT^"^E^»7r*-   'i'^^^^*^^  '     -        ■"    -   - '  W^9W9*J^Z 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  273 


"  Twenty-one." 

"  And  nobody  has  seriously  wanted  you  so  far  ?  " 

She  laughed.  "  Oh,  yes,  like  your  comrade. 
Strangely  enough  those  courting  me  were  always  offi- 
cers, always  lieutenants.  The  only  lieutenant  I  love 
I  cannot  get." 

George  listened  with  astonishment.  "And  why 
not?" 

"  Because  he  is  my  brother." 

Laughing,  he  drew  his  lovely  sister  to  him. 
"  Come,  give  me  a  kiss."  Then  he  continued :  "  In 
all  seriousness,  Elsa,  you  have  grown  more  beautiful 
lately." 

He  took  pleasure  looking  at  her,  at  her  supple 
figure,  her  proud  bearing,  her  blue  eyes,  her  whole 
charming  personality. 

"  Do  you  know  you  have  much  resemblance  with 
Hildegarde  ?  "  he  asked,  suddenly. 

It  was  the  first  time  he  had  spoken  her  name  to  his 
relatives.  Now  that  he  had  done  it,  he  grew  embar- 
rassed under  his  sister's  glance. 

His  father,  who  had  taken  up  the  evening  paper, 
laid  it  aside.  "  George,  I  am  glad  you  speak  of  it. 
You  wrote  so  much  about  your  Hildegarde.  Who 
and  what  is  she,  and  how  do  you  stand  with  her  ?  " 

George  tried  to  avoid  the  subject,  but  Elsa  insisted 
he  should  speak.  "  Do  tell  us  something.  In  your 
letters  you  could  never  write  enough  about  her,  at 
least  not  at  first.  Lately  you  have  had  less  to  say. 
Did  you  have  a  falling  out  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  so,"  George  said  after  some  hesita- 


.^i-:l 


^^y:'^  ^■'^''r^^'^^.^lf^VlWy"^!', 


274  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

tion,  "at  least  I  know  of  none.  I  wrote  you  that 
Hildegarde  is  a  relative  of  my  fonner  captain,  who 
is  now  serving  his  term  of  imprisonment  in  a  fortress. 
Naturally,  Frau  von  Wamow  does  not  go  out  much 
at  present.  So  I  have  seen  Hildegarde  only  a  few 
times  at  chance  meetings  on  the  street." 

"  Did  you  never  speak  to  her  ?  " 

"  Several  times  I  was  tempted  to  do  so ;  but  I 
should  have  been  obliged  to  inquire  how  things  were 
with  the  Wamows,  and  that  would  have  been  pain- 
ful." 

"  How  do  you  stand  with  her,"  his  father  inquired 
again.  "You  know  your  mother.  She  prophesied 
long  ago  you  would  become  engaged.    Is  she  right  ?  " 

"  Since  you  ask  me.  Father,  I  must  tell  you  that 
once  I  cherished  that  idea.  I  believe  if  this  horrible 
affair  had  not  happened,  if  we  had  seen  each  other 
oftener,  matters  would  have  come  to  a  clear  under- 
standing between  us.    But " 

Elsa  "noticed  the  sadness  in  her  brother's  face,  and 
inquired :  "  Won't  you  find  it  hard  to  leave  without 
having  seen  her  again  ?  " 

"  I  shall  see  her  again,"  George  replied  with  deci- 
sion. "  I  have  my  leave-taking  visits  to  make.  I 
shall  ask  Hildegarde  to  name  an  hour  when  I  shall 
be  sure  to  meet  her."  Following  a  sudden  impulse, 
he  added:  "Do  you  know,  Elsa,  I  have  told  Hilde- 
garde a  great  deal  about  you.  I  said  you  wished  to 
make  her  acquaintance.  She  anticipates  meeting  you. 
Do  me  the  favor  to  call  on  her;  ask  her  to  visit  you  at 
the  hotel.    Then  I  can  come  also,  and  when  we  see 


.■^^ 


*--■  ■'^;'?^''V  ■-"■'■   ■■       ■■■,;'■'*„..-■'•-   . :  ^^ -  ' T >7,-rtV    -. ■ . ,■  •  ^"'  r^^ 'ssf^rfptw^^.r'j f) u jpiamr ■  ? ■  -y,L;.^L . yv*--, -:  ,.-:■;,  *-.    ;^"^ •!J!IS,'*J|[*'^'V*^.P-'^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  275 

each  other  again  after  our  separation,  we  shall  both 
realize  what  we  feel  for  each  other.  If  Hildegarde 
loves  me,  then " 

"  Oho,  don't  be  so  hasty,  my  son,"  said  the  old 
man,  "  don't  forget  me.  I  wish  to  have  a  look  at  my 
future  daughter-in-law  before  I  say  Amen." 

Hildegarde's  picture  suddenly  stood  clear  and  dis- 
tinct before  George's  eyes.  Now  that  he  spoke  of  her, 
memory  roused  in  him  a  great  yearning  to  meet  her 
anew. 

"  Hildegarde  will  please  you.  Father,  she  is  beauti- 
ful and  intelligent.  She  has  not  the  peculiar  views 
of  her  class  concerning  nobility.  I  have  told  her 
much  of  you,  about  your  factory,  about  your  care  for 
your  workmen,  about  your  activity.  For  all  this  she 
has  interest  and  understanding."  He  spoke  of  her 
with  fire  and  warmth  that  betrayed  how  much  at- 
tached he  was  to  her. 

"What  are  the  conditions  of  her  family?"  the 
father  inquired.  "You  know,  whether  she  has  any 
money  or  not,  is  immaterial  to  me.  You  needn't  be 
concerned  about  that.  What  I  mean  is,  do  vou  know 
anything  about  her  relatives  ?  Has  she  any  brothers 
and  sisters  ?    Who  are  her  parents  ?  " 

George  gave  the  information  so  far  as  he  was  able. 

"  Another  good-for-nothing  lieutenant,"  the  father 
growled.  "The  parents  having  no  money  let  their 
boys  become  officers  instead  of  making  them  turn 
to  some  useful  calling.  At  home  the  family  starves 
that  the  son  may  get  drunk  upon  champagne  at  a 
love  feast  with  his  comrades." 


'  ^e->^j- -«■■■■''>-- 


■  -V  jv-'TO"^'-'"' ■"""-' f"?^* ra'.-w  r?"- '1  r.;"-  ^JJiij  .ii.ji^,iw^jj(P!i»p'r75F 


276  FIR8T-CLA8S  MEN 

"  Certainly  Hildegarde  is  not  responsible  for  that/' 
George  said.  "  Wliat  liave  I  to  do  with  her 
brother?" 

"  Oho !  "  The  father  straightened  himself  up.  "  A 
man  marries  not  only  his  wife,  but  her  whole  family. 
Mind  that,  my  boy.  Therefore  we  must  see  clear 
before  we  come  to  any  definite  decision.  One  thing 
I  will  say  frankly:  *I  have  long  wished  that  you 
should  marry.  So  marry  whom  you  will,  it  is  all  the 
same  to  me.  The  main  thing  is  that  you  love  each, 
other.    We  shall  have  to  look  at  your  Hildegarde." 


'^^l^|^^«^iripnifap;w'«-<Tir7r'>r^9nrf«iPiig>9^ 


XI. 


"  My  son  has  just  become  engaged  to  your 
daughter.  For  Hildegarde's  sake,  will  try  to  help 
you  and  your  son.  Expect  both  of  you  at  once  for 
oral  conference." 

This  despatch  from  the  old  commercial  councillor 
caused  an  indescribable  sensation  at  the  major's  house. 
Crying  with  joy,  husband  and  wife  sank  into  each 
other's  arms,  and  blessed  the  day  Heaven  had  given 
Hildegarde  to  them. 

"  A  good  girl !  A  good  girl ! "  the  major  praised 
her  again  and  again.  If  anything  marred  his  bound- 
less joy,  it  was  that  his  Hilda  did  not  stand  by  his 
side.  He  would  have  liked  to  fold  her  in  his  arms, 
to  pat  her  shoulder,  and  to  say  to  her :  "  Girl,  you 
have  done  well !  " 

He  laughed  boisterously,  and  lighted  the  most 
expensive  cigar  he  had  in  the  house.  You  must 
celebrate  the  festivals  as  they  come,  and  this  surely 
was  his  festival.  Hildegarde  engaged  to  the  son  of 
one  of  the  richest  industrial  magnates!  That  was 
almost  more  than  luck.  Involuntarily,  the  major 
folded  his  hands  and  thanked  the  Lord  for  having 
given  him  such  a  rich  son-in-law.  Again  and  again 
he  read  the  despatch,  he  couldn't  grasp  the  good  news 
in  its  full  significance.     The  oftener  he  read  the 


TSIW..,,|)LJJjllUlf>IBlWWF.*5 


278  FIB8T-CLAS8  MEN 

telegram  and  the  more  thoroughly  he  digested  the 
message,  the  more  he  was  struck  by  the  words :  "  Will 
try  for  Hildegarde's  sake  to  help  you  and  your  son. 
Expect  both  of  you  forthwith."  What  was  the 
meaning  of  this  "  will  try !  "  Did  this  "  Buerger- 
lidher"  paxvenu  believe  he,  the  major,  would  give 
his  beautiful  child,  his  only  daughter,  to  the  son  of 
the  manufacturer,  without  the  latter  going  deep  down 
in  his  pocket  for  it  ?  Oho !  If  the  commercial  coun- 
cillor was  not  going  to  pay  all  the  debts  of  himself 
and  his  son,  the  engagement  would  be  broken.  He, 
as  father,  would  refuse  his  consent.  That  would  be 
a  nice  state  of  affairs  if  he  was  to  give  his  child  to  the 
next  best  suitor  without  any  compensation  in  return 
for  her.  No,  that  wouldn't  do;  such  a  thing  could 
never  come  to  pass. 

His  wife  tried  to  calm  him,  but  in  talking  the 
matter  over  with  her,  he  only  succeeded  in  talking 
himself  into  a  greater  state  of  anger.  "  You  don't 
know  the  souls  of  those  shopkeepers.  They  grow 
rich  by  haggling.  Dirty  avarice  is  their  main  quality, 
as  you  can  see  here.  Would  a  decent  man  think  of 
asking  the  question  how  many  debts  the  father  and 
the  brother  of  his  future  daughter-in-law  have  con- 
tracted? He  pays.  That  settles  it.  What  does  that 
mean :  *  Expect  both  of  you  forthwith  for  confer- 
ence?' The  man  ought  to  come  to  us,  and  to  ask 
for  the  hand  of  our  child  with  all  proper  formality. 
Instead  of  that,  we  are  simply  commanded  to  come  to 
him.  I,  an  old  major,  to  take  orders  from  such  a 
parvenu!     He  has  not  a  trace  of  respect  for  my 


mfrrfw 


.J...,..^,.:^:: 


p^Vv'V^fTy^-^.^f'  "-r  :■>     '» 


PIB8T-CLAS8  MEN  279 

nobiliiy,  my  position,  my  name.  He  has  the  ducats, 
and  therefore  we  must  dance  as  he  whistles.  I  shall 
show  him  his  true  station,  I  shall  point  out  to  him 
what  an  honor  it  is  for  him  and  his  house  if  we  give 
our  own  Hildegarde  to  his  son,  who  is,  as  far  as  I 
know,  nothing  more  than  a  dismissed  lieutenant.  I 
am  going  to  open  his  eyes  for  him." 

He  paced  the  room  growling  and  swearing.  By 
slow  degrees  the  joy  over  Hildegarde's  engagement 
gained  the  upper  hand.  Earlier  than  usual,  he 
started  for  his  "  Stammtiseh  "  to  tell  the  great  news 
and  to  receive  congratulations.  The  next  morning  he 
took  the  train.  His  wife  at  first  wished  to  accompany 
him,  but  he  declined.  "  Fritz  and  I  will  talk  to  the 
old  fellow,  and  finish  the  business  end  of  it.  I  shall 
wire  you  how  matters  stand,  and  then  you  may  come. 
I  repeat,  if  the  old  man  does  not  pay  up  ever3rthing 
clean,  the  engagement  will  come  to  naught." 

Fritz,  having  met  his  father  at  a  way-station,  was 
entirely  of  the  same  opinion.  He,  too,  had  received 
a  telegram  that  spoke  only  of  the  endeavor  to  help 
him,  and  he  was  as  indignant  over  it  as  his  father. 
"  You  observe  quite  correctly.  Papa,  there  is  but  one 
thing  for  us  to  do.  We  threaten  to  take  Hildegarde 
away  with  us,  if  he  doesn't  say  Ame"n  to  everything. 
We  shall  have  to  act  with  great  energy,  and  to  show 
him  we  have  plenty  of  spunk.  Above  all,  we  must 
make  the  old  man  feel  the  social  abyss  that  separates 
him  from  us.    Then  he'll  sing  small." 

But  the  old  commercial  councillor  was  far  from 
singing  small,  as  it  turned  out. 


fymifTii  Tr-Th' i  •  ■■■■•■■    ,---•-    ■.-■-'    •-■      ..^r,'..^l..iA^-^Jl*.t^-jJbi^'S^'  ■ 


-  -  -  .T»™^r.V(^W 


280  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

During  the  long  conversation  between  Hildegarde 
and  Elsa,  the  Baroness  had  considered  it  her  duty 
to  inform  her  new  friend  in  regard  to  her  family 
conditions,  to  admit  honestly  that-  her  parents  had 
sent  her  to  the  capital  year  after  year  to  catch  a  rich 
husband.  With  tears,  she  confessed  her  love  for 
George,  and  declared  she  would  give  him  up  before 
she  would  have  him  think  for  a  second  that  she  loved 
him  for  his  money.  At  first  Elsa  was  aghast  over 
what  she  heard.  Then  she  felt  sincere  pity  for  Hilde- 
garde, for  every  word  the  latter  spoke  showed  clearly 
her  goodness  and  nobility.  Thereupon  Elsa  comforted 
her  the  best  she  could,  and  gave  her  the  assurance 
that  George  would  not  doubt  her,  that  his  love  would 
only  increase  when  he  learned  what  sad  experiences 
had  been  hers.  Elsa  also  undertook  to  inform  her 
father  of  what  Hildegarde  had  told  her.  The  old 
man  was  shocked,  and  at  first  said  to  his  son : 
**  George,  keep  away.  Give  up  the  thought  of  Hilde- 
garde. Don't  get  dragged  into  the  dirty  stories  of 
her  family.''  But  his  resistance  melted  after  he  had 
seen  the  girl,  and  talked  with  her  confidentially.  He 
took  his  son  aside :  "  George,  she  is  an  angel.  We 
must  make  her  happy  and  indemnify  her  by  a  life 
free  from  care  for  all  the  poor  thing  has  had  to  en- 
dure." 

They  sat  down  together  to  consider  what  could  be 
done  for  Hildegarde's  relatives.  She  had  stated  the 
amount  of  the  indebtedness  as  far  as  she  remembered 
it  from  her  last  visit  at  home.  Finally  it  was  agreed 
that  the  elder  Winkler  should  take  care  of  one-half 


E^*T7T7^^-7V^^  ;T-    '...  :-.■■■  ••;ia.— ._^:    '.  -«- ft-""?'- •!*^J?<r-ai^»'*"T>:'tlBW^— Jf**jwjt^  -'•.  *'jspp-r'-wn.,T.T^^"  ■.  ^_  ■:      -.^"t't^^  -r^^ 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  281 

the  debts,  while  George  should  pay  the  other  half 
out  of  his  future  share  of  inheritance.  In  addition,, 
the  commercial  councillor  would  set  aside  a  fixed 
amount  annually  as  an  allowance  for  her  parents, 
so  that  they  might  be  protected  against  all  worry. 

It  was  more  difficult  to  agree  as  to  what  should 
be  done  for  Fritz.  George  was  willing  to  assume 
the  obligation  to  make  his  brother-in-law  a  monthly 
allowance ;  but  Hildegarde  shook  her  head.  "  That's 
of  no  use,  George,  because  if  you  in  your  goodness  were 
to  give  him  thousands  upon  thousands,  it  would 
only  be  money  thrown  away.  The  more  Fritz  has,  the 
more  he  spends.  No  amoimt  will  suffice  for  him,  he 
would  steadily  borrow  of  us,  he  would  not  stop  gamb- 
ling, and  if  we  did  not  come  to  his  assistance,  he  would 
again  sign  promissory  notes,  and  before  long  be  as 
heavily  in  debt  as  he  is  now.  It  is  hard  for  me,  as 
his  sister,  to  say  it,  but  I  can  see  only  one  salvation 
for  Fritz.  He  must  take  off  the  uniform  and  go 
across  the  ocean.  He  will  never  have  sense  till  he  has 
to  work,  until  he  is  obliged  to  earn  something,  and 
thereby  learns  to  appreciate  the  value  of  money." 

"  Hildegarde  is  right,"  said  the  commercial  coun- 
cillor, "  in  short,  she  is  the  most  sensible  girl  I  have 
ever  known.  If  she,  knowing  her  brother  best,  tells 
us  there  is  no  other  means  of  salvation  for  him  but 
the  change  of  air,  he  must  have  it.  Let  him  go  to  the 
other  side,  I  have  business  relations  there,  and  can 
find  him  a  position.  I  shall  see  to  it  that  he  doesn't 
starve,  but  he  will  only  get  enough  to  be  saved  from 
the  worst,  and  will  be  forced  to  earn  his  living." 


•r  v'^*'."  ^pv  ^  'tp  - 


•f"    > V*^ 


282  FIBST-CLA8S  MEN 

This  had  been  decided  upon  before  the  major  and 
his  son  arrived.  The  iron  will  expressed  in  the  whole 
demeanor  of  the  commercial  councillor  did  not  give 
the  two  noblemen  any  chance  to  carry  out  their  inten- 
tions and  to  show  their  superciliousness.  They  hardly 
knew  how  it  came  about.  But  they  faced  the  old 
gentleman  with  bad  consciences,  when  he  urged  his  " 
inquiries  into  their  debts,  and  announced  to  them  in 
what  way  they  must  be  regulated. 

Fritz  thought  he  did  not  hear  right,  when  he  was 
told  he  must  leave  the  army.  He  resisted  as  long  as 
he  could,  but  he  felt  his  desperate  position.  He 
knew  he  could  hold  out  at  best  only  for  a  few  weeks. 
It  might  be  better  to  go  now.  If  he  had  to  go,  how- 
ever, there  was  no  use  in  paying  his  debts.  He  might 
just  as  well  keep  on  owing  the  money.  He  stated  this 
to  the  commercial  councillor,  and  told  him  he  ought 
to  save  his  cash  and  give  him  a  few  thousand  marks 
to  help  him  on  his  way. 

"  So  you  may  gamble  them  away  while  on  the 
steamer?  No,  no.  Besides,  in  our  * Buergerlicher * 
circles  we  hold  it  as  a  matter  of  honor  to  discharge 
obligations.  You,  a  member  of  the  caste  designated 
nowadays  as  'first-class  men,'  think  differently,  eh? 
I  should  not  have  expected  it." 

Fritz  felt  embarrassed.  Father  and  son  were  both 
glad  when  Elsa  sent  to  inquire  whether  they  were 
ready  for  breakfast,  thereby  bringing  the  conversation 
to  a  close. 

The  major  was  in  the  seventh  heaven,  and  in  a 
most  jovial  mood.     His  debts  were  to  be  paid,  he 


^JT^^J'T'  "T- ■  ■  *  *-'•  ■  '^  '  ",'"»5>'  '*^:^^-'^'^  *'T7"|^;y>'..    .y wv^wjj-7_,«^u  ^"^f  ^•>"-'5»^rr  - 


FIB8T-CLA88  MEN  283 

would  have  an  extra  allowance  besides.  He  need  no 
longer  grant  an  allowance  to  his  son,  and  therefore  he 
could  live  free  from  care.  True,  it  did  not  quite  suit 
him  that  Fritz  must  go  across  the  ocean;  but,  since 
the  commercial  councillor  insisted  on  it,  that  favor 
might  be  granted  him.  Possibly,  Fritz  might  make 
a  rich  marriage  on  the  other  side.  In  certain  circles 
there  they  would  be  willing  enough  to  gild  his  no- 
bility. Besides,  America  was  not  so  remote.  He 
could  come  back  at  any  time.  He  whispered  this  to 
his  son  when  he  was  alone  with  him  for  a  moment, 
and  Fritz  made  the  best  of  an  awkward  situation. 
Father  and  son  enjoyed  the  excellenti  breakfast  par- 
ticipated in  by  the  whole  company.  They  did  not 
notice  the  rather  frosty  atmosphere  prevailing.  The 
following  day  the  commercial  councillor  was  to  go 
home  with  his  children  and  with  Hildegarde. 

George  having  handed  in  his  resignation  the  day 
before,  had  invited  the  Yellow  Butterflies  to  a  fine 
dinner.  At  six  o'clock  the  whole  corps  of  oflBcers 
assembled  in  the  gayly  decorated  rooms  of  the  finest 
hotel.  Winkler,  who  hated  from  the  bottom  of  his 
heart  everything  bordering  on  snobbery,  had  this 
time  ordered  the  best  and  most  expensive  in  the  mar- 
ket. French  champagne  flowed  freely,  the  choicest 
wines,  the  best  and  most  costly  dishes  were  selected. 

As  host,  George  took  his  place  between  the  com- 
mander and  the  officer  next  in  rank,  and  felt  greatly 
amused  on  noticing  how  the  colonel  began  to  medi- 
tate concerning  the  address  he  was  to  make. 

"What  is  he  going  to  say?"  George  thought. 
**  Does  the  man  not  perceive  that  this  farewell  dinner 


1  •• 


^-'n^-'i-^.  ^-^  T^^^'^y^<^Jim!i\i^'ifsy 


284  FIRST-CLASS  MEN 

is  given  from  mere  derision  ?  There  is  not  one  man 
around  this  table  but  is  glad  of  my  going,  yet  they 
all  come  to  eat  at  my  expense  and  to  get  drunk  more 
or  less/' 

George  welcomed  his  guests  with  a  few  words,  and 
wished  them  an  enjoyable  evening.  He  could  not  say 
more,  he  could  not  force  himself  to  express  pleasure 
at  being  again  with  his  dear  old  comrades.  His 
words  barely  sufficed  for  courtesy.  He  was  curious 
to  know  what  the  commander  would  reply.  At  last 
the  colonel  rapped  for  silence  and  rose.  With  him 
rose  the  whole  corps  of  oflBcers. 

"  Gentlemen,"  the  colonel  began,  amid  solemn  si- 
lence, "  we  are  assembled  to-day  for  the  last  time 
with  the  dear  comrade  who  leaves  not  only  us,  but  the 
army,  in  order  to  enter  the  factory  of  his  father  as 
partner  and  co-worker.  Although  it  is  the  usual  cus- 
tom that  the  man  who  leaves  is  the  guest  of  the  corps 
of  oflBoers  on  the  last  day,  we  appear  as  guests,  not 
as  hosts,  because  we  believe  thereby  we  can  show  you, 
dear  Winkler,  in  the  most  unmistakable  way,  how 
glad  we  are  to  be  with  you  once  more.  It  would 
have  been  only  our  traditional  duty  to  invite  you, 
while  no  duty  requires  that  we  should  have  accepted 
your  invitation  in  a  body.  That  of  all  invited  not  one 
stayed  away  you,  dear  Winkler,  may  take  as  an  elo- 
quent token  that  of  those  assembled  around  you  not 
one  has  the  least  against  you.  I  cannot  and  will  not 
deny  that  differences  have  existed  temporarily  be- 
tween you  and  the  other  gentlemen.  This  evening 
proves  to  you  that  everything  has  been  settled  amica- 
bly.   With  sincere  regret  we  see  you  leave  our  circle, 


^j-^.L    .^i'.ii» 


^■^„f-^y^y_^m^,^,„if^.y^  jii  (J  «^jy^w^ijiii|u«^ jlM^lWJ^J^I^IinigBVRI^PIWpi Lj.  1  -.Wf^l^^VmiPmPIHm 


FIRST-CLASS  MEN  285 

to  which  you  have  belonged  for  a  short  time  only. 
Our  good  wishes  for  your  future  well-being  we  will 
centre  in  the  shout :  Our  former  regimental  comrade. 
Lieutenant  Winkler.     Hurra !  Hurra !  Hurra !  " 

"Like  the  words  with  which  they  greeted  me  at 
first  are  the  words  with  which  they  take  leave," 
thpught  George  during  the  commander's  speech. 
"  Not  a  single  hearty  expression,  only  a  steady  varia- 
tion of  the  theme:  What  nice,  dear,  good  fellows  we 
are  to  come  here  to-day  for  your  sake." 

The  "Hurra"  was  given,  the  music  fell  in,  and 
played  Uhland's  popular  song : 

"  I  had  once  a  good  comrade, 
His  better  you'll  never  find." 

"That's  the  last  straw,"  thought  George,  and  a 
sensation  of  bitterness  rose  within  him.  "  Falsehood 
and  hypocrisy  to  the  end." 

The  colonel  engaged  Mm  in  conversation,  and 
George's  thoughts  were  far  away,  though  he  was  ap- 
parently listening  with  attention  to  the  description 
of  a  war  episode.  He  saw  around  him  his  comrades, 
who  were  partly  drunk  by  this  time,  mostly  of  mere 
pleasure  at  being  rid  of  him,  and  who  would  soon  be 
drunk  to  the  last  degree.  Suddenly  he  was  seized,  he 
did  not  know  why,  by  a  sensation  of  joy  that  he  was  no 
longer  a  member  of  a  class  which  does  not  look  seri- 
ously enough  upon  life  and  work,  a  class  that  is  not 
conscious  of  its  ideal  task:  To  be  the  educators  of 
young  Germany. 

THE  END. 


